146 Contaminants Near Groundwater-Surface Water Interfaces (Posters)

Groundwater-surface water interfaces influence the transport and fate of contaminants in groundwaters and surface waters. Thus, learning about the behavior and interactions at and near the interfaces are important for understanding hydrogeochemical cycles as well as groundwater and watershed management.

Monday, 20 October 2025
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
HBGCC, Hall 1

Preliminary Investigation of Storm Water Treatment Incorporating 3D Printed Porous Media

Paper number: 146-7
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Authors

Abstract

Urban stormwater runoff through impervious surfaces can contain a complex mixture of contaminants, including heavy metals, microplastics, and hydrocarbons, which can cause degradation of water quality in waterways and pose a high risk to public health. Decentralized stormwater treatment systems, such as bioswales and detention ponds, are contributing more significantly to reducing contaminant transport by treating surface runoff near its source. This study aims to evaluate the potential of stormwater treatment systems by integrating 3D printed Polylactic Acid (PLA-biodegradable thermoplastic polymer) porous filters with graphene oxide (GO) coating in the bioswale system of UTRGV parking lot, which is a site designed with layered porous media as a part of the low impact development (LID) initiative. Engineered 3D printed filters will enhance infiltration and pollutant removal in storm water applications due to their flexible design geometry as a porous medium. Laboratory column experiments were designed to simulate stormwater flow vertically through layered soil mimicking infiltration through the porous media and 3D printed filter that enables direct measurement of hydraulic parameters and sorption co-efficient. Preliminary design and material selection indicates that the filter will enhance water quality by removing heavy metals like Pb2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Cu2+ more than 80% and facilitate microplastic capture (more than 70%) with retention capacity due to the presence of abundant oxygen containing functional groups in Graphene Oxide coating. The parameters obtained from laboratory experiments will be used to calibrate and parameterize storm water management models (PCSWMM) to improve the simulation of pollutant load and treatment performance under realistic urban conditions. The results of this study will provide useful insights into future designs of cost-effective and sustainable stormwater treatment systems.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-413190

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