TY - JOUR

T1 - Understanding and managing de-icer contamination of airport surface waters

T2 - a synthesis and future perspectives

AU - Freeman, Andrew

AU - Surridge, Ben

AU - Matthews, Mike

AU - Stewart, Mark

AU - Haygarth, Philip

PY - 2015/4

Y1 - 2015/4

N2 - De-icers containing propylene glycol and potassium acetate are a major source of organic pollution in airport surface waters. Direct discharges of these pollutants into receiving waters, even at very low concentrations, can result in detrimental environmental impacts and may breech regulatory requirements. The airport operator is responsible for devising a de-icer management plan (DMP) which outlines the pollution prevention strategies adopted to manage contaminated runoff. This poses one of the most significant environmental management challenges in the aviation sector. Within this review article, we conceptualise the transport and fate of de-icing fluids in the environment and consider the implications for management of runoff from airports. We examine the treatment technologies that are currently incorporated into DMPs in the aviation industry. Finally, we review the current application of subsurface flow treatment.wetlands, an eco-innovative technology for advanced treatment of industrial strength wastewaters,and consider priorities for future research related to this emerging technology.

AB - De-icers containing propylene glycol and potassium acetate are a major source of organic pollution in airport surface waters. Direct discharges of these pollutants into receiving waters, even at very low concentrations, can result in detrimental environmental impacts and may breech regulatory requirements. The airport operator is responsible for devising a de-icer management plan (DMP) which outlines the pollution prevention strategies adopted to manage contaminated runoff. This poses one of the most significant environmental management challenges in the aviation sector. Within this review article, we conceptualise the transport and fate of de-icing fluids in the environment and consider the implications for management of runoff from airports. We examine the treatment technologies that are currently incorporated into DMPs in the aviation industry. Finally, we review the current application of subsurface flow treatment.wetlands, an eco-innovative technology for advanced treatment of industrial strength wastewaters,and consider priorities for future research related to this emerging technology.

KW - Aircraft de-icing fluid

KW - Pavement de-icing fluid

KW - De-icer management system

KW - Biochemical oxygen demand

KW - Artificially aerated subsurface flow treatment wetlands

M3 - Journal article

VL - 3

SP - 46

EP - 62

JO - Environmental Technology and Innovation

JF - Environmental Technology and Innovation

SN - 2352-1864

ER -