Author(s)

O. Al-Mashaqbeh, A. Jiries & Z. El-HajAli

Abstract

Six storm events were monitored during the winter season extended from October 2012 to April 2013 to investigate the stormwater runoff pollutant concentrations on urban and rural sites in the Amman-Zarqa basin. The average pollutant concentrations of stormwater runoff were significantly different from the urban and rural site. The results showed that the urban site generated stormwater runoff with the highest concentrations of organic pollutants COD and BOD5 (1685 mg/L and 91 mg/L) and dissolved heavy metals Zn, Cu, Pb and Mn (0.106 mg/L, 0.033 mg/L, 0.02 mg/L and 0.189 mg/L respectively). This is mainly due to the high traffic volume at urban site compared with the rural site. While the rural site generated the highest concentrations of total suspended solids TSS (6029 mg/L), nutrients T-N and T-P (31.2 mg/L and 34.3 mg/L) and fecal bacteria TCC, TFCC and E.coli (4.06E+07, 8.00E+05 and 1.31E+05 MPN/100ml, respectively) carried by the stormwater runoff. This is reflecting the presence of anthropogenic pollution sources such as using chemical and nature fertilizers in a rural site. A key constituent of runoff quality (COD, TSS, TKN, T-P, Zn and Pb) from both urban and rural sites are considered very high compared to those reported in other countries. This study has provided a better understanding of the concentrations and sources of stormwater runoff pollutants generated from urban and rural site which is posing a serious threat to water bodies within the Amman-Zarqa basin. Therefore, best management practices and proper land management measures should be taken to minimize the impacts of stormwater runoff. Keywords: urban, rural, stormwater runoff quality, Amman-Zarqa basin.

Keywords

urban, rural, stormwater runoff quality, Amman-Zarqa basin.