Quantification of uncertainty in modelled partitioning and removal of heavy metals (Cu, Zn) in a stormwater retention pond and a biofilter
Publication: Research - peer-review › Journal article – Annual report year: 2012
Strategies for reduction of micropollutant (MP) discharges from stormwater drainage
systems require accurate estimation of the potential MP removal in stormwater treatment
systems. However, the high uncertainty commonly affecting stormwater runoff quality
modelling also influences stormwater treatment models. This study identified the major
sources of uncertainty when estimating the removal of copper and zinc in a retention pond
and a biofilter by using a conceptual dynamic model which estimates MP partitioning
between the dissolved and particulate phases as well as environmental fate based on
substance-inherent properties. The two systems differ in their main removal processes
(settling and filtration/sorption, respectively) and in the time resolution of the available
measurements (composite samples and pollutographs). The most sensitive model factors,
identified by using Global Sensitivity Analysis (GSA), were related to the physical characteristics
of the simulated systems (flow and water losses) and to the fate processes related
to Total Suspended Solids (TSS). The model prediction bounds were estimated by using the
Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) technique. Composite samples and
pollutographs produced similar prediction bounds for the pond and the biofilter, suggesting
a limited influence of the temporal resolution of samples on the model prediction
bounds. GLUE highlighted model structural uncertainty when modelling the biofilter, due
to disregard of plant-driven evapotranspiration, underestimation of sorption and neglect of
oversaturation with respect to minerals/salts. The results of this study however illustrate
the potential for the application of conceptual dynamic fate models base on substanceinherent
properties, in combination with available datasets and statistical methods, to
estimate the MP removal in different stormwater treatment systems and compare with
environmental quality standards targeting the dissolved MP fraction.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Water Research |
| Publication date | 2012 |
| Volume | 46 |
| Pages | 6891-6903 |
| ISSN | 0043-1354 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published |
| Citations | Web of Science® Times Cited: No match on DOI |
|---|
Keywords
- Stormwater pollution control, Dynamic models, Heavy metals, Stormwater treatment model, Micropollutants, Global sensitivity analysis, Uncertainty analysis
ID: 5842668