| Municipal stormwater retention ponds are a means of managing stormwater in urban settings. Due to the temporal and spatial variations involved with stormwater, numerous contaminants find their way in stormwater retention pond, creating various problems to mitigate against. The City of Edmonton owns a stormwater pond that has historically produced higher levels of hydrogen sulphide. A field study was completed in the City of Edmonton, comparing two stormwater retention ponds in terms of water quality and sediment microbial communities to understand differences in biological degradation that would encourage sulphate reduction, believed to stimulate the production of hydrogen sulphide. The field study comparison was followed by laboratory studies focused on means of suppressing sulphide production. Nitrate amendments were effective in suppressing sulphate reduction; however the addition of a carbon source stimulated greater sulphide production. Extracts from Serrano peppers were also tested as a biocide and inhibitor for sulphate reducing bacteria. |
