Hydrologic Impacts of Disturbed Lands Treated with Dust Suppressants

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2003

Publication Title

Journal of Hydrologic Engineering

Volume

8

Issue

5

First page number:

278

Last page number:

286

Abstract

This study presents research on changes in hydrologic characteristics of disturbed land surfaces that have been treated with dust suppressants. Disturbed land surfaces, such as construction sites and unpaved roads, are sources of fine particulate matter. The application of dust suppressants affects the runoff characteristics as well as the water quality of the runoff. The changes in runoff characteristics were investigated in the field using a rainfall simulator on plots treated with 11 different dust suppressants. The rainfall simulation system was able to provide a uniform distribution of rainfall over a 2.42.4 m (approximately) plot at relatively low rainfall intensities (21 mm/h). Results of the study indicate changes in runoff rates and volume, and the timing of runoff initiation. The majority of the plots had higher runoff volumes and an earlier time of runoff initiation as compared to the control plot. The total suspended solids in the runoff were reduced for the majority of the plots. Extrapolation of the results to the Las Vegas Valley watershed indicates that the use of dust suppressants on large areas could significantly impact the amount of runoff.

Keywords

Coefficients; Disturbed land surfaces; Dust control; Dust suppressants; Rainfall; Runoff; Surface water; Water quality

Disciplines

Environmental Sciences | Fresh Water Studies

Language

English

Permissions

Use Find in Your Library, contact the author, or use interlibrary loan to garner a copy of the article. Publisher copyright policy allows author to archive post-print (author’s final manuscript). When post-print is available or publisher policy changes, the article will be deposited

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