title: Decrease of non-point zinc runoff using porous concrete.
abstract: The use of porous concrete columns to decrease the amount of zinc in stormwater runoff is examined. The concentration of zinc in a simulated stormwater fluid (zinc acetate solution), fed through concrete columns (slashed circle10x10cm) decreased by 50-81%, suggesting physical adsorption of zinc by the porous concrete. We propose the use of porous concrete columns (slashed circle50x10cm) as the base of sewage traps. Longer-term, high-zinc concentration monitoring revealed that porous concrete blocks adsorb 38.6mgcm(-3) of zinc. A period of no significant zinc runoff (with an acceptable concentration of zinc in runoff of 0.03mgL(-1), a zinc concentration equal to the Japanese Environmental Standard) is estimated for 41years using a 1-ha catchment area with 20 porous concrete sewage traps. Scanning electron microscopy of the porous concrete used in this study indicates that the needle-like particles formed by hydration action significantly increase zinc adsorption. Evidence suggests that the hydrant is ettringite and has an important role in zinc adsorption, the resulting immobilization of zinc and the subsequent effects on groundwater quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Miyagi University, 2-2-1 Hatadate, Taihaku-ku, Sendai 982-0215, Japan. haradas@myu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Shigeki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Komuro
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption / Q000187:drug effects*; D003252:Construction Materials; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D007103:Immobilization; D008903:Minerals / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016062:Porosity; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D012722:Sewage; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry; D014872:Water Movements; D018508:Water Purification; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D012722:Sewage; D012989:Soil Pollutants; C501337:ettringite; D015032:Zinc