Effectiveness of two lightweight aggregates for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated urban stormwater

Contaminated runoff stormwater from urban environments carries several contaminants to water bodies, thereby affecting the health of living beings and ecological systems. Among all contaminants, heavy metals possess high toxicity impact quality. The management through green infrastructures composed by adequate materials can provide an excellent solution, simultaneously ensuring appropriate hydraulic performance contaminant removal rate. proposed research aims at elimination (i.e. Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd Pb) column experiments selecting four possible novel treatments for stormwaters. Two lightweight aggregates (Arlita Filtralite) were tested separately in combination with CaCO3. study determines efficiency lifetime each treatment varying interaction time between filter contaminated type filter. observed mechanisms closely related changes pH due interactions different materials. reductions metal concentrations depend on metal, material. Results indicate that combined use CaCO3, Arlita Filtralite did not improve rates metals. However, it decreased decontamination process. significance this lies as treatments. Both led a considerable decrease although was particularly efficient. After 4 weeks, still successfully reducing stabilising 99% stormwater. These results confirm is emphasise, application these materials, their feasibility improvement