QCC to Re-pave Lot for Environment's Sake

Storm water runoff in Bayside will have the attention of about 60 novice researchers come spring. Undergraduates at will be taking rainfall samples right from campus, and examining pollutants found in the water.

The research is part of an effort by the college to redress harmful water runoff from their parking facility into local waterways. It was funded in part by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

The campus' large asphalt parking lot does not absorb water. With nowhere to seep, water and pollutants it carries enters the local watershed, flows into Oakland Lake, then to Little Neck Bay, and eventually the Long Island Sound.

Runoff carries with it lawn fertilizer, according to Dr. Joan Peterson, one of the QCC faculty members overseeing the study. Oakland Lake during summertime is being "choked up," said Peterson, with aquatic plants that over-bloom because of the fertilizer. 

When the blooms die and decompose, the process soaks in much of the oxygen from the lake, depriving fish of needed oxygen.

"It leads to a foul smell," said Associate Professor Simran Sehmi, who is also leading the research project.

Soil, according to Sehmi, has a natural filtration system which removes contaminates like fertilizer, nitrogen and metals. Impervious asphalt obstructs the natural filtration system, and disrupts the filtration process. Asphalt with pores does allow the percolation of water, but has its own set of environmental drawbacks.

Ahead of the study, QCC announced on Monday that they would be replacing the existing asphalt in one of the College's lots with porous asphalt to correct the runoff problem. The College will also re-landscape to impose plants that will absorb and retain water.

"Asphalt near the waterfront is a no-no, " said Dr. James Cervino of the Wood Hole Oceanographic Institute. The problem, he said, are the semi volatile organic compounds like kerosene asphalt imparts on water. 

Cervino, who lives in College Point and was a scientific advisor to Sen. Frank Padavan, R-Bellerose, believes the Department of Environmental Protection would not permit porous asphalt in the vicinity of QCC, so close to marine life. Cervino believes another pavement option, like limestone would be better suited to the area.

"We're working with an engineer and landscape architect that's had quite a lot of experience in this area," said Arthur Perkins, Assistant Dean for Campus Facilities. "We wouldn't want to put [in] toxic material…we haven't even begun to look at the options."

 "Our goal is to create a sustainable re-design that will have a significant, positive impact on the local environment," said Perkins.