Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026

Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff
Published on: May 15, 2017
Heavy metals, PAHs and toxicity in stormwater wet detention ponds
T Wium-Andersen1, A H Nielsen, T Hvitved-Jakobsen
1Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark. twa@bio.aau.dk
Abstract:
Concentrations of 6 different heavy metals and total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in stormwater runoff and in the pond water of two Danish wet detention ponds. The pond water samples were analyzed for toxic effects, using the algae Selenastrum capricornutum as a test organism. Stormwater and pond water from a catchment with light industry showed high levels of heavy metals, especially zinc and copper. The pond water showed high toxic effects and copper were found to be the main toxicant. Additionally, a large part of the copper was suspected to be complex bound, reducing the potential toxicity of the metal. Another catchment (residential) produced stormwater and pond water with moderate concentration of heavy metals. The pond water occasionally showed toxic effects but no correlation between heavy metals and toxicity was identified. PAHs concentrations were for both catchments low and no correlations between PAH concentrations in the pond and toxicity were found.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Acid Mine Drainage
Factors Affecting Solubility
Types of Toxins
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements
Periodic Table Provides Information...
Precipitation and Co-precipitation
Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides

