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Primary and secondary pollutant removal mechanisms

This table shows a list of BMPs and associated pollutant removal mechanisms. Primary (removal) means the BMP was designed for this specific mechanism. Secondary (removal) means the BMP provides additional removal of pollutants for this mechanism even though the BMP was not designed for that purpose. An empty cell means the BMP provides limited or no removal for that mechanism.

Primary and secondary pollutant removal mechanisms
BMP group Pollutant removal mechanisms
Water quality
Filtration Infiltration Settling Biological uptake Temperature control Soil adsorption
Pollution prevention Not applicable - pollutants not exposed to stormwater
Better Site Design/low impact development primary secondary secondary secondary secondary secondary
Runoff volume minimization   secondary     secondary  
Temporary construction sediment control     primary      
Bioretention primary secondary secondary secondary secondary secondary
Filtration primary secondary   secondary   secondary
Infiltration secondary primary   secondary primary secondary
Stormwater ponds   secondary primary secondary    
Stormwater wetlands secondary secondary primary primary   secondary
Supplemental treatment Each supplemental and proprietary device should be carefully studied to learn the primary and secondary removal functions