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Updated: May 25, 2026
10:44
Clean Sampling and Analysis of River and Estuarine Waters for Trace Metal Studies
Published on: July 1, 2016
Column studies to determine mercury settling in road runoff
Xiaojun Zuo1, Dafang Fu, He Li
1Department of Municipal Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
Summary
This study shows that mercury (Hg) removal from road runoff in settling columns is most effective when critical settling velocity decreases. Optimal Hg removal depends on total suspended solids (TSS) distribution and rainfall intensity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Water Quality Management
- Pollutant Removal
Background:
- Road runoff is a significant source of mercury (Hg) pollution in aquatic ecosystems.
- Effective removal of Hg from road runoff is crucial for environmental protection.
- Settling processes are commonly employed for pollutant removal in water treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate mercury (Hg) removal efficiency using a settling column.
- To analyze the relationship between Hg removal, critical settling velocities, and total suspended solids (TSS).
- To evaluate the influence of rainfall characteristics and temperature on Hg removal.
Main Methods:
- Experimental study using a settling column.
- Monitoring of mercury (Hg) concentrations and total suspended solids (TSS).
- Analysis of settling velocities and rainfall data.
Main Results:
- Significant Hg removal occurred within the first 30 minutes of settling.
- Hg removal rate increased as critical settling velocity decreased.
- Hg removal was strongly correlated with the initial distribution of TSS.
- Rainfall intensity had a greater impact on Hg removal than other rainfall parameters.
- Temperature showed a moderate relationship with Hg removal.
Conclusions:
- Decreasing critical settling velocity is key for optimizing Hg removal in sedimentation basins.
- TSS distribution and rainfall intensity are critical factors influencing Hg removal efficiency.
- Settling column performance for Hg removal is influenced by hydrological and meteorological conditions.
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