The AZHUREV constructed wetland started to receive stormwater in 2020, raising concerns that particulate pollution will reach the wetland inlet. We collected sediment samples along the feed channel to analyze the organic matter content, elemental makeup, and presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) via loss on ignition, accelerated solvent extraction, high-performance liquid chromatography, scanning electron microscopy, and near-infrared spectroscopy. Most particles settled before the inlet likely due to low water flow, providing some water treatment. However, there are concerning PAH levels at the start of the channel. Because of their harmful environmental and health impacts, we propose frequent monitoring and sampling of the feed channel sediment.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Manalo, Caran Kate
• Lepage, Maxwell

Subject

• Sustainability
• Water
• Environment

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 52361
• E-project-032122-115241

Keyword

• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• contamination
• constructed wetland
• sediment

Advisor

• Kmiotek, Stephen J.

Year

• 2022

Sponsor

• École Nationale Supérieure des Industries Chimiques

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation

Date created

• 2022-03-21

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering
• Environmental Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright