Date of Award

Spring 1998

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

First Advisor

Novotny, Vladimir

Second Advisor

Crandall, Clifford J.

Third Advisor

Zitomer, Daniel H.

Abstract

Most of urban diffuse pollution models are suitable only for modeling off-winter hydrology and pollution loads. There is a need to develop urban loading models that would characterize winter pollution as affected by snow removal practices and road deicing. Use of deicing chemicals in snowbelt areas to provide traffic safety during winter causes water quality problems of urban receiving waters. Abrasives generate large loads of suspended solids. High chloride content from deicing salt decreases partitioning between adsorbed and dissolved metals, thus increasing the dissolved (toxic) metal fraction in snowmelt. The water quality issues of urban streams during winter and spring snowmelt periods need to be addressed. A model has been developed to evaluate the impact of snow removal and road deicing practices on water quality of urban receiving waters. The mechanisms of snow and snowmelt pollution are examined.

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