Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 7, 2025

Design and Construction of an Urban Runoff Research Facility
Published on: August 8, 2014
Particle size distribution and total suspended solid concentrations in urban surface runoff.
Hongtao Zhao1, Yukun Ma2, Jinxiu Fang3
1State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
Understanding particle size in urban runoff is key to managing pollution. Coarser particles (>100 μm) significantly increase total suspended solids (TSS), highlighting the importance of particle size distribution in road-deposited sediments (RDS) for effective pollution control.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Hydrology
- Urban Planning
Background:
- Managing urban diffuse pollution requires understanding particle dynamics in surface runoff.
- Total suspended solids (TSS) are a major component of urban runoff pollution.
- Particle size distribution (PSD) influences TSS concentration and pollutant transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamic runoff behavior of TSS and identify influencing factors.
- To analyze the relationship between particle size distribution and TSS concentration in surface runoff.
- To develop a method for assessing the contribution of road-deposited sediments (RDS) to TSS.
Main Methods:
- Field experiments were conducted during natural rainfall events.
- Model simulations were used to explore runoff behavior and influencing factors.
- Analysis of particle size distribution in runoff and road-deposited sediments (RDS).
- Application of a wash-off formula incorporating particle size.
Main Results:
- High TSS concentrations were associated with coarser particles (>100 μm).
- Washed-off coarser particles from RDS directly increased TSS concentrations.
- Rainfall characteristics, urban-rural gradients, surface roughness, and climate influenced PSD and TSS.
- RDS contribution to TSS varied from 4% to 44% based on rainfall characteristics.
Conclusions:
- Particle size distribution is a critical factor in determining TSS concentrations in urban runoff.
- A critical particle size (<100 μm) was identified for assessing RDS contribution to TSS.
- The study provides a simple, effective method for evaluating RDS contribution to TSS in surface runoff, aiding pollution management.
More Related Videos
08:49Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff
Published on: May 15, 2017
06:26Capturing Flow-weighted Water and Suspended Particulates from Agricultural Canals During Drainage Events
Published on: November 7, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
Precipitation and Co-precipitation
Factors Affecting Solubility
Pore Size Distribution
Adequate...
Colloidal precipitates