Effect of climate change on stormwater characteristics and treatment efficiencies of stormwater retention ponds
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effect of climate changes on stormwater characteristics and treatment efficiency of retention ponds. This was performed by using an integrated model for two scenarios representing the current situations and a climate change scenario with increased intensity of extreme events. The study was conducted in a catchment in Albertslund, Denmark. The collected data showed a clear relation between stormwater quality parameters and rainfall intensity and antecedent dry period. Extreme events resulted in high particulate concentrations and high loads. The dissolved concentrations showed no strong relationship to rainfall intensity. The simulations with the integrated model showed that the climate change increase of rainfall intensity led to an increase in the concentrations discharged from the catchment. The higher flows caused a decrease in the pond removal performance with an overall increase in the particulate concentrations discharged to the environment. The changes in the two scenarios affected only the particulate phase, so no major impact on toxicity due to stormwater discharge is expected due to climate change. Further research is needed to address the seasonal fluctuations and provide a better analysis of the potential impacts due to climate change.
Info
Conference Paper, 2011
UN SDG Classification
DK Main Research Area
Science/Technology
