title: Incorporating process variability into stormwater quality modelling.
abstract: Process variability in pollutant build-up and wash-off generates inherent uncertainty that affects the outcomes of stormwater quality models. Poor characterisation of process variability constrains the accurate accounting of the uncertainty associated with pollutant processes. This acts as a significant limitation to effective decision making in relation to stormwater pollution mitigation. The study undertaken developed three theoretical scenarios based on research findings that variations in particle size fractions <150 μm and >150 μm during pollutant build-up and wash-off primarily determine the variability associated with these processes. These scenarios, which combine pollutant build-up and wash-off processes that takes place on a continuous timeline, are able to explain process variability under different field conditions. Given the variability characteristics of a specific build-up or wash-off event, the theoretical scenarios help to infer the variability characteristics of the associated pollutant process that follows. Mathematical formulation of the theoretical scenarios enables the incorporation of variability characteristics of pollutant build-up and wash-off processes in stormwater quality models. The research study outcomes will contribute to the quantitative assessment of uncertainty as an integral part of the interpretation of stormwater quality modelling outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, 4001 Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: b.mahappukankanamalage@qut.edu.au.
authors.forename: Buddhi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wijesiri
authors.affiliation: Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, 4001 Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: p.egodawatta@qut.edu.au.
authors.forename: Prasanna
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Egodawatta
authors.affiliation: Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, 4001 Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: james.mcgree@qut.edu.au.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGree
authors.affiliation: Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, 4001 Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: a.goonetilleke@qut.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ashantha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goonetilleke
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D011891:Rain; D035501:Uncertainty; D014872:Water Movements; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Particle size; Pollutant build-up; Pollutant wash-off; Process variability; Stormwater pollutant processes; Stormwater quality