The influence of the length of a cork column on the removal of particles, metals and organic compounds from rainwater runoff

Abstract

This project focuses on the removal efficiency of physical contamination, heavy metals (represented by chromium) and organic compounds (represented by anthracene) by cork columns. Columns of 5 cm, 15 cm and 24 cm lengths are tested on their removal efficiency on the 3 kinds of pollution. • The physical contamination involves 2 scenarios of pollution. The first scenario is considering a high pollution area; the turbidity according to this is 70 NTU. The second scenario is a normal pollution area, with a turbidity of 30 NTU. The stormwater is collected and by mixing different rainwater the correct turbidity is obtained. The first step of suspended matter removal is the pre-sedimentation step, which is carried out after the suspended matter is settled down 15 min. Secondly the stormwater is poured through each column, and the removal efficiency is calculated. • The heavy metal removal efficiency experiments are divided into 2 parts. First the influence of suspended matter on heavy metal sorption is examined. Afterwards the removal efficiency of heavy metals by the columns is investigated by using AAS. • For the removal of organic compounds the same procedure is followed as heavy metals. The influence of suspended matter on organic compounds sorption is determined by HPLC