IMPACT OF BRIDGING ON FLOODPLAINS

Three bridge sites in central Florida (I-4 and Padgett Creek, US-17-92 and Shingle Creek, and US-192 and Shingle Creek) was selected to study (a) the feasibility of treating highway runoff by using floodplains beneath these bridges and (b) the impact of bridging on biological diversity and productivity. Soil and plant samples were collected from bridge areas affected by highway runoff as well as control areas upstream and downstream of the bridge areas. These samples were analyzed for extractable heavy metals (lead, zinc, iron, copper, nickel, chromium, and cadmium) to study the capacity of floodplain areas to retain these metals. Soil samples collected from the bridge areas contained significantly higher concentrations of metals, particularly lead, than the control areas. Metals were fixed in the soil and could be released to the surrounding body of water by highly acidic environments, organic chelating agents, and erosion processes. Plants were also surveyed to determine dominant species, changes in diversity, and productivity at the bridge and control areas. In addition, bioassay experiments were designed to examine the potential impact on algal production of mixing highway bridge runoff and water from adjacent streams. At all sites surveyed there were more individuals of common plant species in bridge areas than in control areas. Bridge areas, however, appeared to be dominated by fewer species than control areas. (Author)

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1983/948/948-005.pdf
• Record URL:
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Landscape and Environmental Design. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
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• Authors:
  • Yousef, Yousef A
  • Wanielista, Martin P
  • Harper, Harvey H
  • Skene, Elizabeth T
• Publication Date: 1983

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 26-30
• Monograph Title: WETLANDS, FLOODPLAINS, EROSION, AND STORM WATER PUMPING
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 948
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bioassay; Cadmium; Chromium; Copper; Environmental impacts; Flood plains; Highway bridges; Iron; Lead; Metals; Nickel; Plants; Runoff; Sampling; Soils; Zinc
• Old TRIS Terms: Soil sampling
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Planning and Forecasting; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00389550
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309036690
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Nov 30 1984 12:00AM