Commercial areas in cities major source of river pollution, study finds.
The study looked at how different types of land use in a city affect the amount of dirt and pollutants that end up in rivers and streams when it rains. They found that areas with a lot of businesses had the highest levels of dirt in the stormwater, which can harm the water quality. The researchers also discovered that the amount of stormwater flowing was directly related to the amount of dirt in it. However, the levels of harmful metals in the water were generally low. This research helps cities understand how to better manage pollution in their waterways and protect public health.