Title: Storm Water Runoff and the Impact on California Highways

Author: Ciara Gonzalez

Abstract: This paper will focus on a major pollution problem for our nation’s highways, storm water runoff. By analyzing the toxicity levels of heavy metals, Zn, Cu, and Pb in urban and non-urban highways I will examine what role vehicle traffic plays. Also examining toxins in aquatic species will show what effects storm water runoff has on future organisms generations when runoff water drains into species ecosystems. What are the current California Department of Transportation practices concerning storm water runoff and how can they be improved upon.

Key References:
Buckler DR, Granato G.E. (1999). Assessing Biological effects from highway-runoff constituents. U.S. Geological Survey, 1-53

Caltrans (2002). Monitoring and Water Quality Research Program:2002-2003 Data Reporting Protocols. Report No. CTSW-RT-02-067

Caltrans (1999). BMP Retrofit Pilot Program: Biofilter Sod Peer Review. Report No. CTSW-RT-99-081

Granato, G.E., Dionne, S.G., Tana, C.K., King, T.L. (2003) National Highway Runoff Water Quality and Methodology Synthesis, Volume II-Project Documentation. Contract No. DTFH61-96-Y-30145

Kayhanian, M., Suverkropp, C., Ruby A., Tsay K. (2007). Characterization and prediction of highway runoff constituent event mean concentration. Journal of Environmental Management, 85, 279–295

Kayhanian, M., Singh, A., Suverkropp, C., Borroum, S. (2002). The Impact of Annual Average Daily Traffic on Highway Runoff Pollutant Concentrations. John Muir Institute of the Environment, Road Ecology Center eScholarship Repository, 1-52

Kayhanian, M., Stransky, C., Bay, S., Lau, S. L., Stenstrom, M.K. (2007). Toxicity of Urban Highway Runoff with Respect to Storm Duration. Science of the Total Environment, 389, 386- 406

 

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Date: May 2009
Student: cgonzale@willamette.edu
ENVR 327: Water Resources
Instructor: Dr. Karen Arabas
http://www.willamette.edu/~karabas/courses/envr327w