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A Modular Workflow for Quantitative, Structural and Functional Analysis of Leptospira Biofilms

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Modelling biocide leaching from facades.

Irene K Wittmer¹, Ruth Scheidegger, Christian Stamm

¹Eawag, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland. irene.wittmer@eawag.ch

|May 3, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Biocides from building facades enter waterways via storm water. A new model shows significant biocide amounts remain on facades long-term, highlighting urban runoff risks.

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Area of Science:

Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Science
Aquatic Toxicology

Background:

Biocides applied to building facades leach into aquatic environments during rainfall.
Limited understanding exists regarding total biocide losses from urban settlements due to reliance on laboratory wash-off studies.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a simplified model simulating biocide losses from facades under various rainfall and application scenarios.
To elucidate the mechanisms governing biocide wash-off dynamics from building exteriors.

Main Methods:

A four-box model was developed, incorporating diffusion from storage stocks to mobile stocks and subsequent wash-off.
The model was calibrated using an existing experimental dataset from a laboratory wash-off experiment.
Model performance was validated against measured wash-off data across multiple cycles.

Main Results:

The model accurately reproduced experimental data for single and peak wash-off events.
Simulations indicated that approximately 70% of applied biocides remain on facades even after prolonged simulated rainfall (1100 mm/year).
Diuron losses were quantified, revealing substantial retention on facade surfaces.

Conclusions:

Biocide losses from urban facades are significant and cannot be neglected.
Accurate estimation of losses requires understanding rainfall-runoff dynamics and facade biocide decay rates.
The developed model enhances comprehension of laboratory wash-off dynamics and allows for realistic outdoor loss simulations.