Intrinsic and extrinsic factors which influence metal adsorption to road dust

Abstract

The adsorption behaviour of metals deposited on road surfaces is a complex process and influenced by a range of factors common to the urban environment. However, all factors do not have the same level of importance. It is therefore important to identify the most crucial factors for accurate stormwater quality predictions and to implement effective stormwater pollution mitigation measures. Accordingly, this study investigated the extrinsic and intrinsic factors in terms of their degree of influence on the adsorption of individual metal cations to particulates. The variability associated with the adsorption of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni to road dust was found to be influenced by changes to the antecedent dry days and land use characteristics. The initial dry days after a storm event exerts a significant influence on adsorption compared to the later dry days in all land uses. In terms of the intrinsic physico-chemical properties of road dust, the parameters that influence the adsorption process differ in terms of the type of metal cation and particle size fractions of solids. Based on the influential parameters identified, the bioavailability characteristics of Zn, Cd, Pb and Ni in < 150 μm size fraction of road dust and potential stormwater quality impacts can be highlighted.