Chemical Characterization and Toxicity of Bridge Deck Runoff and Impacts to Receiving Water Quality
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 140, Issue 4
Abstract
In this study, the chemical and microbiological characteristics of bridge deck runoff were evaluated at four bridge locations in the state of Nebraska. These bridges represent a range of annual average daily traffic (AADT) and receiving stream characteristics. In addition to runoff sampling, dry weather water quality and sediment quality was evaluated to determine if bridges influence dry weather water quality. Bridge deck runoff was determined to be not toxic using a 48-h acute toxicity assay with fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). The results determined no significant differences in water and sediment quality upstream and downstream of the bridge at each of the four locations, indicating that bridges do not influence the receiving water quality or sediment during dry weather. The bridge deck runoff was found to contain a number of chemical constituents, and metals and nutrients were detected most frequently. The quality of bridge deck runoff was determined to be similar to that of roadway runoff, and no relationship between the contaminant concentrations and AADT or antecedent dry period (ADP) could be determined in this study.
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Acknowledgments
Funding for this study was provided by the Nebraska Department of Roads.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 140 • Issue 4 • April 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 4, 2013
Accepted: Dec 6, 2013
Published online: Feb 13, 2014
Published in print: Apr 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Jul 13, 2014
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