So I am trying to figure out my thesis statement, I know we went over it in class but anymore suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
What is the best system for removing pollutants, collected on impevious surfaces, from stormwater runoff?
OR
What is the best system for removin pollutant from stormwater runoff?
I am stuck between these two because my topic is specific to impervious surfaces but I am not sure how well that flows or sounds.
(if any one is unsure, impervious means that water can't filter through it)
Thanks!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
ABSTRACT OUTLINE
The carbon footprint that conventional construction is leaving on the earth has become apparent. Green technologies are being studied and developed to help battle some of the impacting sources, such as polluted storm water runoff. This runoff contains contaminants such as foreign soils, metals, phosphorus, and oils. Impervious parking lots are a contributor to this contaminated runoff: they collect pollutants and carry it into our freshwater streams and rivers in the event of precipitation. These pollutants are affecting marine life in various ways, more specifically salmonid (salmon, trout, char, whitefish and graylings). The contaminants are affecting the fish physically, as well as their behaviour, habitat, and spawning grounds.
There are two methods of pollutant removal that are focused on in this report: bioswales and permeable paving. Bioswales are an effective way to remove and break down many of the pollutants found on impermeable parking lot surfaces. Plant matter and infiltration through a soil matrix allows the swale to collect large particles and prevent them from entering into our water. There are biota (bacterial colonies) present within the swale that are able to break down some of the pollutants to a harmless state. Swales can obtain high efficiency rates in pollutant removal and have three different design options: dry, wet, and grassed.
Permeable paving is also a viable source for removing pollutants and has similar pollutant efficiency removal rates to that of a bioswale. Permeable paving allows the storm water to be held in a stone bed comprised of clean stone aggregate where it is allowed to infiltrate slowly into the subsoil below. Biota is used along with fungi to break down the pollutants. The larger particles are then removed from the water by a geotextile fabric filter separating the stone bed from the soil below. Although there are many different forms of permeable paving three methods are examined: pervious concrete, permeable asphalt, and interlocking concrete bricks.
The newly recognized technologies that are designed to purify contaminated runoff make a huge difference in the amount of pollutants reaching streams and rivers. Each of the methods offers a variety of aesthetically pleasing choices which can easily be implemented into future construction, and/or improve impermeable areas.
There are two methods of pollutant removal that are focused on in this report: bioswales and permeable paving. Bioswales are an effective way to remove and break down many of the pollutants found on impermeable parking lot surfaces. Plant matter and infiltration through a soil matrix allows the swale to collect large particles and prevent them from entering into our water. There are biota (bacterial colonies) present within the swale that are able to break down some of the pollutants to a harmless state. Swales can obtain high efficiency rates in pollutant removal and have three different design options: dry, wet, and grassed.
Permeable paving is also a viable source for removing pollutants and has similar pollutant efficiency removal rates to that of a bioswale. Permeable paving allows the storm water to be held in a stone bed comprised of clean stone aggregate where it is allowed to infiltrate slowly into the subsoil below. Biota is used along with fungi to break down the pollutants. The larger particles are then removed from the water by a geotextile fabric filter separating the stone bed from the soil below. Although there are many different forms of permeable paving three methods are examined: pervious concrete, permeable asphalt, and interlocking concrete bricks.
The newly recognized technologies that are designed to purify contaminated runoff make a huge difference in the amount of pollutants reaching streams and rivers. Each of the methods offers a variety of aesthetically pleasing choices which can easily be implemented into future construction, and/or improve impermeable areas.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
PROJECT OUTLINE REVISED
PROJECT
This analytical report will look at the dirt parking lot on campus, located at the corner of Summit and McGill. The purpose is to compare and contrast the costs and benefits of using bioswales vs. lattice paving as a way to prevent contaminated surface water run off from the lot (if it were to be paved) from entering into the Thompson River.
METHOD
Research Strategy
Interviews Engineering Firms
A More In Depth Research Approach
1) Understand how bioswales work and what they do.
2) Research the different types of bioswales and choose the best one for my chosen site and pollutant removal.
3) Read engineer’s journals for design components and ideas.
4) Look at various cities design manuals to learn the best way to design a bioswale for my site.
5) Find articles describing the types and amount of pollutants entering the runoff from parking lots.
6) Determine if a bioswale is better than using permeable paving. Cost comparison, efficiency comparison, maintenance, life expectancy, impact on the environment.
7) Is the cost, and maintenance of a bioswale in comparison to permeable paving worth the payoff off? How much/type contaminants are removed from entering into our river by using a bioswale vs permeable paving?
SPECIAL PROLEMS
1) What types of plants will be able to survive in Kamloops?
2) How effective are bioswales at removing pollutants vs permeable paving?
3) Is a bioswale more cost effective than a permeable system?
4) How long will a bioswale/permeable paving last for? What type of maintenance is needed?
5) Which type of bioswale will be needed in Kamloops, dry, grass, or wet?
6) Will a bioswale create a place for mosquito to reproduce?
7) How can we prevent a place for mosquitoes to flourish?
8) Will the bioswale/permeable paving freeze in Kamloops?
This analytical report will look at the dirt parking lot on campus, located at the corner of Summit and McGill. The purpose is to compare and contrast the costs and benefits of using bioswales vs. lattice paving as a way to prevent contaminated surface water run off from the lot (if it were to be paved) from entering into the Thompson River.
METHOD
Research Strategy
Interviews Engineering Firms
- Derek Kronebusch (Dayton & Knight Ltd.) – interested
- Scott Bilbrough (Dayton & Knight Ltd.) – possibly interested
- Ashley (Urban Systems) – no reply
- Library books – TRU, Kamloops Library, Vancouver Library
- Library magazines – TRU, Kamloops Library, Vancouver Library
- Engineering journals- resources received from Derek Kronebusch
- Internet – last resort
- Possibly visit sites where bioswales are located
A More In Depth Research Approach
1) Understand how bioswales work and what they do.
2) Research the different types of bioswales and choose the best one for my chosen site and pollutant removal.
3) Read engineer’s journals for design components and ideas.
4) Look at various cities design manuals to learn the best way to design a bioswale for my site.
5) Find articles describing the types and amount of pollutants entering the runoff from parking lots.
6) Determine if a bioswale is better than using permeable paving. Cost comparison, efficiency comparison, maintenance, life expectancy, impact on the environment.
7) Is the cost, and maintenance of a bioswale in comparison to permeable paving worth the payoff off? How much/type contaminants are removed from entering into our river by using a bioswale vs permeable paving?
SPECIAL PROLEMS
1) What types of plants will be able to survive in Kamloops?
2) How effective are bioswales at removing pollutants vs permeable paving?
3) Is a bioswale more cost effective than a permeable system?
4) How long will a bioswale/permeable paving last for? What type of maintenance is needed?
5) Which type of bioswale will be needed in Kamloops, dry, grass, or wet?
6) Will a bioswale create a place for mosquito to reproduce?
7) How can we prevent a place for mosquitoes to flourish?
8) Will the bioswale/permeable paving freeze in Kamloops?
BIOSWALES HOW EFFICIENT ARE THEY?
This data was obtained from The State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. These tests were done on bioswales with specific parameters, however, they are comparable to other research documents.
Obtainable reductions of pollutants in bioswales:
Total Suspended Solids – 83 to 92%
Turbidity (with 9 minutes of residence) – 65%
Lead – 67%
Copper – 46%
Total Phosphorus – 29 to 80%
Aluminum – 63%
Total Zinc - 63%
Dissolved Zinc – 30%
Oil/Grease – 75%
Nitrate-N – 39 to 89%
Obtainable reductions of pollutants in bioswales:
Total Suspended Solids – 83 to 92%
Turbidity (with 9 minutes of residence) – 65%
Lead – 67%
Copper – 46%
Total Phosphorus – 29 to 80%
Aluminum – 63%
Total Zinc - 63%
Dissolved Zinc – 30%
Oil/Grease – 75%
Nitrate-N – 39 to 89%
GET THE FACTS!
Did you know that not only substances such as oil, grease and metals from cars can be considered a pollutant found on parking lots? Clay, minerals and organic matter can also be pollutants. Basically anything that can lead to trubidity of water (clouding) can be considered a pollutant. The elements that cause cloudiness have detrimental effects on the ecosystem. This includes affecting fish spawning beds in many different ways. Turbidity reduces light penetration causing fish to leave the spawning grounds, water temperature is increased, habitats on stream bottoms are smothered, as well as larvae. The turbidity can also affect the fish themselves by damaging their gill structure and reducing oxygen in the water.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
NEW IDEA!
Hey everyone, so I decided to take a little bit of a turn in my research due to the fact that not all that many contaminants are actually coming from the roofs of aging buildings. There are a lot more contaminants being washed into our storm drainage systems from large scale parking lots. Therefore I am directing my research to the contaminants coming from the parking lots and entering our storm water drainage systems. I am am going to be comparing and contrasting costs and benefits of bioswales vs. porous paving methods. I am hoping to come up with the best possible choice for what should be used on that site in the future. (I am planning on doing this on the lot that we just did our reports for David's class on, if anyone found any useful soil or lot info that would be great.)
Sunday, February 22, 2009
PROJECT OUTLINE
PROJECT
This analytical report will look at a site in Kamloops (still to be determined) and figure out the type of bioswale needed to remove pollutants introduced into storm water due to aging roofs, the construction and maintenance costs of the swale, and the impact the bioswale will have on the environment in comparison to a conventional storm water removal system.
METHOD
Research Strategy
Interviews
Engineering Firms
· Derek Kronebusch (Dayton & Knight Ltd.) – interested
· Scott Bilbrough (Dayton & Knight Ltd.) – possibly interested
· Ashley (Urban Systems) – no reply
Academic Resources
· Library books – TRU, Kamloops Library, Vancouver Library
· Library magazines – TRU, Kamloops Library, Vancouver Library
· Engineering journals- resources received from Derek Kronebusch
Non-Academic Resources
· Internet – last resort
A More In Depth Research Approach
1) Understand how bioswales work and what they do.
2) Research the different types of bioswales and choose the best one for my chosen site and pollutant removal.
3) Compare different types of plants, soils etc. that can be used in the bioswale. Compare hyperaccumulator plants with regularly used plants, their cost and efficiency of pollutant obsorption.
4) Read engineer's journals for design components and ideas.
5) Look at varous cities design manuals to learn the best way to design a bioswale for my site.
6) Find articles describing the types and amounts of pollutants being given off by roofs. Comparison of age vs pollutants given off.
7) Determine if a bioswale is better than using a conventional curb and gutter. Cost comparison, efficiency comparison, maintenance, life expectancy, impact on the environment.
8) Is the cost and maintenance of a bioswale in comparison to a conventional curb and gutter worth the payoff of removing the contaminants from aging roofs? How much contaminants are removed from enterng into out streams etc. by using a bioswale?
SPECIAL PROLEMS
1) What types of plants will be able to sustain life in Kamloops?
2) What types of materials can be used in addition to or in place of the materials already being used in bioswales and lattices to filter the storm water as much as possible?
3) How effective are bioswales at removing pollutants? Show comparison of successful projects in comparison to conventional storm water removal.
4) Which type of bioswale will be needed in Kamloops, dry, grass, or wet?
5) Will a bioswale create a place for mosquito to reproduce?
6) How can we prevent a place for mosquitoes to flourish?
7) Will the bioswale/lattice freeze in Kamloops?
This analytical report will look at a site in Kamloops (still to be determined) and figure out the type of bioswale needed to remove pollutants introduced into storm water due to aging roofs, the construction and maintenance costs of the swale, and the impact the bioswale will have on the environment in comparison to a conventional storm water removal system.
METHOD
Research Strategy
Interviews
Engineering Firms
· Derek Kronebusch (Dayton & Knight Ltd.) – interested
· Scott Bilbrough (Dayton & Knight Ltd.) – possibly interested
· Ashley (Urban Systems) – no reply
Academic Resources
· Library books – TRU, Kamloops Library, Vancouver Library
· Library magazines – TRU, Kamloops Library, Vancouver Library
· Engineering journals- resources received from Derek Kronebusch
Non-Academic Resources
· Internet – last resort
A More In Depth Research Approach
1) Understand how bioswales work and what they do.
2) Research the different types of bioswales and choose the best one for my chosen site and pollutant removal.
3) Compare different types of plants, soils etc. that can be used in the bioswale. Compare hyperaccumulator plants with regularly used plants, their cost and efficiency of pollutant obsorption.
4) Read engineer's journals for design components and ideas.
5) Look at varous cities design manuals to learn the best way to design a bioswale for my site.
6) Find articles describing the types and amounts of pollutants being given off by roofs. Comparison of age vs pollutants given off.
7) Determine if a bioswale is better than using a conventional curb and gutter. Cost comparison, efficiency comparison, maintenance, life expectancy, impact on the environment.
8) Is the cost and maintenance of a bioswale in comparison to a conventional curb and gutter worth the payoff of removing the contaminants from aging roofs? How much contaminants are removed from enterng into out streams etc. by using a bioswale?
SPECIAL PROLEMS
1) What types of plants will be able to sustain life in Kamloops?
2) What types of materials can be used in addition to or in place of the materials already being used in bioswales and lattices to filter the storm water as much as possible?
3) How effective are bioswales at removing pollutants? Show comparison of successful projects in comparison to conventional storm water removal.
4) Which type of bioswale will be needed in Kamloops, dry, grass, or wet?
5) Will a bioswale create a place for mosquito to reproduce?
6) How can we prevent a place for mosquitoes to flourish?
7) Will the bioswale/lattice freeze in Kamloops?
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