Kiera Jefferson
Sediment pollution is a major issue for rivers, streams, and bodies of water, causing billions of dollars worth of damage annually. Sediment is primarily caused by the erosion of rocks and soil, and the subsequent movement of water due to human intervention or weather events. As sediment-laden water flows downstream, it affects the quality of drinking water and the environments of wildlife. To combat sediment pollution, various inventions and control methods have been devised, including silt barriers, filters, erosion control measures, and turbidity curtains. These inventions aim to prevent sediment erosion, contain exposed soil, and reduce the negative impacts of sedimentation on aquatic ecosystems and water quality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is sediment pollution? | Dispersion of soil particles that affects human and animal health |
| What causes sediment pollution? | Erosion of rocks and soil due to human intervention or weather events |
| How to prevent sediment pollution? | Storm drain filters, erosion control, silt barriers, turbidity curtains, sediment barrier perimeter control fences |
| How to reduce sediment pollution? | Sweeping driveways and sidewalks, using weed-free mulch, noticing sediment dispersion from construction sites, washing vehicles on water-absorbing surfaces |
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What You'll Learn
Silt barriers
While silt barriers are an effective solution, they may face challenges due to improper installation, placement, or maintenance. For example, the fabric can become "'blocked off" with fine soil particles, reducing its effectiveness over time. Additionally, the success of silt barriers depends on proper compaction, which is critical to their performance.
Overall, silt barriers are an important invention for addressing sediment pollution, particularly in construction sites near bodies of water. They help control the spread of silt and sediment, protecting aquatic ecosystems and ensuring compliance with environmental standards.
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Storm drain filters
One example of a storm drain filter is the HuskyGuard® Above-Drain Stormwater Filter, which is designed to prevent oil and sediment from entering storm drains. It features a heavy-duty polyethylene mesh top for durability, a Spilltration® Husky filtration layer for removing oils, fuels, sheens, and sediments, and extra-strength magnets for easy installation and removal.
Another example is the StormFilter Stormwater Treatment Device from Contech, which is an underground stormwater treatment technology that utilizes rechargeable, media-filled cartridges to trap particulates and adsorb pollutants from stormwater runoff. It can be engineered to treat a wide range of flows within a drainage system and capture pollutants prior to off-site discharge.
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Erosion control
Soil erosion and sediment loss from construction sites have been documented as a major source of water pollution. Bare soil exposed to rain can quickly become eroded, leading to sediment that moves into adjacent storm sewers or lakes and streams.
- Using natural vegetation to bind soil: This includes biowalls, which use wire mesh coated in seeded compost, and vegetated buffer strips, which capture rainwater.
- Geotextiles: These come in mats, logs, or wattles and help absorb and filter runoff to control erosion.
- Retaining walls: These contain water and runoff to prevent them from escaping.
- Mulch: On flat surfaces, mulch helps absorb water, preventing it from picking up loose soil and flowing away.
- Engineered soil: This type of soil is designed to resist erosion and can be used to stabilize slopes and banks.
- Barriers and strategic excavation: By guiding runoff to specific locations, barriers and excavation techniques can help control erosion and facilitate filtration or holding of sediments.
It is important to note that preventing erosion is more effective than trying to control sediment after it has occurred. Construction sites should develop proper control plans, adhere to environmental regulations, and consider all possible ways in which pollutants and soil can escape to effectively manage erosion and sedimentation.
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Turbidity curtains
There are several types of turbidity curtains, depending on the water conditions and application. Type 1 curtains are suitable for use in protected waters with minimal wind, waves and currents. Type 2 curtains are ideal for areas with mild current, wind and wave activity, while Type 3 curtains are designed for swifter moving water and greater wind exposure. Type 3 curtains are manufactured using high-strength fabric with heavy-duty tension members and are used in dredging and marine construction areas that experience strong currents and tides, high winds and greater wave activity.
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Sediment barrier perimeter control fences
One of the most commonly used methods of perimeter control is silt fencing. Silt fencing is intended to slow down the velocity of runoff and temporarily detain incoming muddy water to allow sediment to settle and be filtered out. It is important to note that silt fencing is designed for sheet flow and should not be used in areas of concentrated flow, such as ditches. In such cases, alternative perimeter controls such as soil berms, silt dikes, straw wattles, or rock check dams are more suitable.
The effectiveness of silt fencing depends on proper siting, installation, and maintenance. The most common types of silt fence installations include super duty, heavy duty, and preassembled (light-duty) variations. Super duty silt fences, consisting of a concrete or water-filled jersey barrier with geotextile, are typically used below steeper, longer slopes during the wet season. Heavy-duty silt fences, often with metal posts and machine-sliced, are employed near water bodies, on steep slopes, and in areas with unstable or highly erodible soils. Preassembled silt fences, on the other hand, have light-duty posts pre-attached to the geotextile and are used on shorter, flatter slopes during dry or frozen periods.
In addition to silt fencing, other perimeter controls are also utilised for effective sediment management. These include sediment control logs, filter berms, bale barriers, and flotation silt curtains. Each of these methods plays a vital role in trapping and removing sediment, preventing it from escaping the site and polluting water bodies.
By implementing these sediment barrier perimeter control fences, construction sites can effectively minimise the impact of sediment pollution on the surrounding environment, particularly on nearby water sources. These innovative solutions are a crucial step towards ensuring that erosion is controlled and sediment transport is contained within the site boundaries.
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Frequently asked questions
Sediment pollution is the dispersion of soil particles that affects human and animal health and causes billions of dollars worth of damage annually. It is caused by the erosion of rocks and soil, which is carried by water through runoff downstream.
Sediment pollution affects the quality of drinking water and wildlife environments. It can clog fish gills, reduce development, and make rivers and streams unnavigable. Sediment can also carry nutrients that cause blue-green algae flare-ups and other pollutants such as heavy metals and bacteria.
Some methods to prevent sediment pollution include stormwater best management practices such as storm drain filters, erosion control, sediment barriers, turbidity curtains, and silt fences. Decorative retaining walls, mulching, and planting native plants and grasses can also help prevent sediment erosion.
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