EFFECTIVE POLYMERS REDUCING SEDIMENT INNE ILLINOIS CONSTRUCTION SITE RUNOFF

摘要

Suspended solids in stormwater cause turbidity. In addition, other pollutants such asnutrients and heavy metals are attached to suspended solids. Sediments can choke or buryaquatic organisms, leading to dominance by weedy species. Nutrients can lead to algalblooms, eutrophication, and changes in aquatic communities such as the dominance byrough fish at the expense of game fish. Heavy metal pollution can lead to aquatic changesthrough contamination. These sources of pollution are regulated by stormwater ordinances.For example, regulations may prohibit “nuisance discharges of unsightly quality,” or maydefine quantitative standards “discharges can be no dirtier than the receiving water,” or evenregulate discharges above a certain level such as 70 ppm TSS. Violations of regulations canlead to project delays, fines, and deterioration of habitat. Polymers can be used to improvewater quality by reducing TSS. There are four steps required for successful reduction of TSS:Polymers must be selected based on soil properties;Polymers must be mixed with stormwater;The mixture must have enough reaction time to form flocculents; andThe flocculents must have a place to settle.This presentation illustrates that anionic polyacrylimides reduce the sediment inconstruction site stormwater runoff and are cost-effective. Water quality data and actual costsare described and compared from this NE Illinois site.