Storm water runoff concentration matrix for urban areas

The infrastructure (roads, sidewalk, commercial and residential structures) added during the land development and urbanisation process is designed to collect precipitation and convey it out of the watershed, typically in existing surface water channels, such as streams and rivers. The quality of surface water, seepage water and ground water is influenced by pollutants that collect on impervious surfaces and that are carried by urban storm water runoff. Heavy metals, e.g. lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) and readily soluble salts in runoff, contribute to the degradation of water. An intensive literature search on the distribution and concentration of the surface-dependent runoff water has been compiled. Concentration variations of several pollutants derived from different surfaces have been averaged. More than 300 references providing about 1300 data for different pollutants culminate in a representative concentration matrix consisting of medians and extreme values. This matrix can be applied to long-term valuations and numerical modelling of storm water treatment facilities.     

International Standardisation of a Method for Detection of Human Pathogenic Viruses in Molluscan Shellfish

The viruses primarily associated with shellfish-borne illness are norovirus, causing gastroenteritis and hepatitis A virus (HAV). Recent years have seen a proliferation of publications on methods for detection of these viruses in shellfish using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, currently no standard harmonised procedures have been published. Standardisation is necessary before virus methods can be considered for adoption within a regulatory framework. A European standardisation working group is developing a two-part (quantitative and qualitative) standard method for virus detection in foodstuffs, including shellfish, which has the potential to be incorporated into EU legislation as a reference method. This article describes the development of the standard method and outlines the key methodology principles adopted, the controls and other quality assurance measures supporting the method and future necessary developments in the area.