Abstract: Natural sorbents which are sediments formed in the aquatic environment play a key role in the deposition
and circulation of organic compounds derived from natural and anthropogenic sources. In this
paper, the qualitative composition of sediments from the urban stormwater drainage system was
determined and their sorption capacity with respect to selected organic substances was evaluated.
The material was subjected to physicochemical analyzes including pH value, dry residue, mineral
and organic matter content, particle size distribution, mineral composition, specific surface area, the
ionic composition including cations (Na+, NH4
+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Li+, and K+) and anions (Cl–, Br–, F–, SO4
2–,
PO4
3–, NO3
–, and NO2
–) and the sum of sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (SPAHs) including
naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene,
pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene,
dibenzo[ah]anthracene, benzo[ghi]perylene and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene. The sediments accumulated
in the stormwater sewer system cause problems that are related not only to the system operation
but also to the hazard they may pose when delivered to the receiver. Because of their properties,
the sediments are characterized by a high affinity for accumulating and storing toxic pollutants in
their structure, such as heavy metals and also organic compounds (PAHs). When the sediment structure
is disturbed, or the physicochemical conditions are altered, pollutants may be released and they
may migrate to the environment. A hazard of this kind may be encountered when the stormwater
sewer system is cleaned, or when settlers and separators in the treatment facility overflow. After
conducting a number of tests it turned out these sediments may pose a potential threat to the environment
due to their properties. In the case of sediments that have already have in their structure
chemical contamination, it was still possible sorption, also the sorption capacity of the material is
not fully used. This means that not only the organic matter of the sediment matrix but also the mineral
parts are responsible for the sorption of organic pollutants. Therefore, to determine the bond
strength of chemical micropollutants with the matter forming sediment, and to properly assess the
degree of contamination should be taken into consideration to examine their sorption capacity.
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DOI