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Results

Water samples were taken during the rainstorms on August 23, 2007 (Figure 1) and October 24, 2007 (Figure 2). A total of 26 samples were taken between the two rain storms which represent 4 hours of rain water activity. Concentrations of TPH were compared to flow rate with the following results:
 

 

 

 

The rainstorm on August 23, 2007 (Figure 1) showed increasing TPH concentrations with increasing flow rates. These results are supported by previous literature involving NPS water pollution. The sudden increase in TPH concentrations associated with flow rate is referred to as a first flush and is considered to have the largest impact on TPH concentrations. During the first flush approximately 710 grams or 1 liter of gasoline entered the area surrounding drain 4 on the USCA campus.
Rain activity after a “first flush” is assumed to contribute relatively small amounts of TPH to the environment. The rainstorm on October 24, 2007 (Figure 2) supported this assumption by contributing concentrations of TPH below the detection limit of our Immunoassay kits.