We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Occurrence and concentrations of organic micropollutants (OMPs) in highway stormwater: a comparative field study in Sweden
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured a wide range of chemical pollutants in stormwater runoff from a Swedish highway, finding that bisphenol-A (BPA), certain plasticizers, and several carcinogenic compounds exceeded safe environmental levels. The study highlights that road runoff is a significant source of toxic micropollutants entering freshwater systems.
This study details the occurrence and concentrations of organic micropollutants (OMPs) in stormwater collected from a highway bridge catchment in Sweden. The prioritized OMPs were bisphenol-A (BPA), eight alkylphenols, sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and four fractions of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), along with other global parameters, namely, total organic carbon (TOC), total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity, and conductivity (EC). A Monte Carlo (MC) simulation was applied to estimate the event mean concentrations (EMC) of OMPs based on intra-event subsamples during eight rain events, and analyze the associated uncertainties. Assessing the occurrence of all OMPs in the catchment and comparing the EMC values with corresponding environmental quality standards (EQSs) revealed that BPA, octylphenol (OP), nonylphenol (NP), five carcinogenic and four non-carcinogenic PAHs, and C16-C40 fractions of PHCs can be problematic for freshwater. On the other hand, alkylphenol ethoxylates (OPnEO and NPnEO), six low molecule weight PAHs, and lighter fractions of PHCs (C10-C16) do not occur at levels that are expected to pose an environmental risk. Our data analysis revealed that turbidity has a strong correlation with PAHs, PHCs, and TSS; and TOC and EC highly associated with BPA concentrations. Furthermore, the EMC error analysis showed that high uncertainty in OMP data can influence the final interpretation of EMC values. As such, some of the challenges that were experienced in the presented research yielded suggestions for future monitoring programs to obtain more reliable data acquisition and analysis.
More Papers Like This
Occurrence and concentrations of organic micropollutants (OMPs) in highway stormwater: A comparative field study in Sweden
AI summary Read the abstract
This Swedish study characterized organic micropollutants in highway stormwater, detecting bisphenol-A, alkylphenols, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons above environmental quality standards. Highway runoff is also a significant source of tire wear microplastics, meaning these chemical and physical pollutants often reach waterways together.
Traffic-related microplastic particles, metals, and organic pollutants in an urban area under reconstruction
AI summary Read the abstract
A study in a Gothenburg urban reconstruction area simultaneously measured microplastics, metals, and organic pollutants in road washwater, sweepsand, and stormwater, finding correlations among pollutant types and highlighting road runoff as a key pathway for co-transport to receiving waters.
Microplastics and tyre wear particles in urban runoff from different urban surfaces
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastics and tire wear particles in stormwater runoff from roads, parking lots, and rooftops in Sweden. They found that road runoff carried the highest concentrations by far, with large variations between rainfall events. The findings highlight urban roads as a major source of microplastic pollution entering nearby waterways through stormwater.
Multi-contaminants in road runoff of a compact city: Characteristics, interactions, and ecological risks
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterised multi-contaminant pollution in road runoff from a compact city, examining the sources, transport mechanisms, interactions, and ecological risks of co-occurring contaminants including microplastics, heavy metals, and other pollutants. The study found that microplastics in road runoff interact with co-contaminants in ways that amplify ecological risk, with urban density and road surface type influencing contaminant profiles.
Characterization and ecological risks of microplastics in urban road runoff
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterized microplastics in urban road runoff collected during 11 rainfall events in Hong Kong and found that initial runoff contained particularly high concentrations, with median levels 4.6 times higher than rainwater alone. The dominant types were polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene fragments smaller than 300 micrometers. Risk assessments indicated moderate to high ecological risks, highlighting urban roads as a major source of microplastic pollution entering waterways.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.