title: Heavy metal contamination in an urban stream fed by contaminated air-conditioning and stormwater discharges.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Urban waterways are impacted by diffuse stormwater runoff, yet other discharges can unintentionally contaminate them. The Okeover stream in Christchurch, New Zealand, receives air-conditioning discharge, while its ephemeral reach relies on untreated stormwater flow. Despite rehabilitation efforts, the ecosystem is still highly disturbed. It was assumed that stormwater was the sole contamination source to the stream although water quality data were sparse. We therefore investigated its water and sediment quality and compared the data with appropriate ecotoxicological thresholds from all water sources.
  
  
  METHODS
  Concentrations of metals (Zn, Cu and Pb) in stream baseflow, stormwater runoff, air-conditioning discharge and stream-bed sediments were quantified along with flow regimes to ascertain annual contaminant loads. Metals were analysed by ICP-MS following accredited techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Zn, Cu and Pb concentrations from stormflow exceeded relevant guidelines for the protection of 90% of aquatic species by 18-, 9- and 5-fold, respectively, suggesting substantial ecotoxicity potential. Sporadic copper (Cu) inputs from roof runoff exceeded these levels up to 3,200-fold at >4,000 μg L⁻¹ while Cu in baseflow from air-conditioning inputs exceeded them 5.4-fold. There was an 11-fold greater annual Cu load to the stream from air-conditioning discharge compared to stormwater runoff. Most Zn and Cu were dissolved species possibly enhancing metal bioavailability. Elevated metal concentrations were also found throughout the stream sediments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Environmental investigations revealed unsuspected contamination from air-conditioning discharge that contributed greater Cu annual loads to an urban stream compared to stormwater inputs. This discovery helped reassess treatment strategies for regaining ecological integrity in the ecosystem.
authors: University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand. aisling.osullivan@canterbury.ac.nz
authors: Aisling
authors: A
authors: O'Sullivan
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Wicke
authors: Tom
authors: T
authors: Cochrane
mesh_terms: D000389:Air Conditioning; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000032:analysis; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D054750:Ecotoxicology / Q000379:methods; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D009520:New Zealand; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D011891:Rain; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012621:Seasons; D012995:Solubility; D014507:Urbanization; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D060753:Water Quality; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc; D010100:Oxygen