Title: A study of the use of Glycol-based de-icers at RAF Lyneham and their impact on local watercourses during the winter of 1999/2000
Author: Environment Agency North Wessex Investigations Team
Document Type: Monograph
Abstract:
RAF Lyneham is home to the RAF’s fleet of Hercules transport planes and is required to maintain operational readiness at all times. Both the aircraft and airfield are de-iced during icy or cold conditions using glycol based deicers. These de-icers are readily biodegradable but exert a'high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). Following concern that the de-icers were reaching local watercourses, an investigation was undertaken to study the concentrations and impact of de-icers reaching the surface water drains. Continuous water quality monitors were deployed on the Lilly Brook and Strings Watercourse to measure dissolved oxygen following de-icing operations at RAF Lyneham. No impact was found on D.O. concentrations. Autosamplers were deployed on the outlet from two oil interceptors which drain to the Strings Watercourse. Some of the samples which were taken after de-icing operations had high concentrations of Propylene Glycol and high BOD’s (>470 mg/1). Further work is planned for the winter of 2000/01 to look closer at the impact on the Strings Watercourse and the Lilly brook. Negotiations are taking place with the RAF to look at alternative disposal of contaminated water.
Publisher: Environment Agency
Publication Date: 2000
Publication Place: Wessex
Subject Keywords: Glycol; Environmental impact; Water pollution; Dissolved oxygen; Industrial pollutants; Environmental monitoring; Pollution control; Pollutant load
Geographic Keywords: Lyneham (Wiltshire); Lilly Brook (Wiltshire)
Extent: 8
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:257
Total file downloads: 363
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