| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4389062 | Ecological Engineering | 2015 | 5 Pages |
•Sectional analysis approach is used to investigate pollutant wash-off.•Rainfall intensity and ADP are key characteristics influencing pollutant wash-off.•Rainfall intensity parameters influence the initial pollutant wash-off.•Rainfall duration and ADP influence the intermediate and final phases of wash-off.
The influence of different rainfall characteristics on pollutant wash-off was investigated in stormwater runoff from three road surfaces in a highly urbanized area of Shanghai, China. The relationships between rainfall characteristics and pollutant wash-off were analyzed using sectional analysis, an innovative concept of using sector parameters to investigate the relationship between the pollutant wash-off process and different sectors of the runoff hydrograph and rainfall hyetograph. Results indicated that the rainfall intensity of the initial phase of a rainfall event was critical to the magnitude of the first flush. Rainfall duration and the antecedent dry period also influenced pollutant load washed-off during intermediate and final phases of a rainfall event. No influence of rainfall depth on first flush was observed. Several rainfall characteristics played important roles in pollutant wash-off processes. These findings are critical for designing and implementing low impact development practices.
