We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics and harmful substances in urban runoffs and landfill leachates : possible emission sources to marine environment
Summary
A Finnish pilot study found microplastics and harmful chemicals including PAHs, PCBs, phthalates, and PFASs in both urban stormwater runoff and landfill leachate samples discharged directly to the marine environment. The findings identify urban runoff and old landfills as potentially significant but understudied pathways for microplastics and toxic chemicals to reach coastal waters.
Knowledge and studies on the occurrence of microplastics and certain harmful substances in urban runoffs and landfill leachates is still scarce. The aim of this pilot study was to estimate the simultaneous occurrence of plastics and plastic related pollutants in urban runoffs and leachates in an old and closed landfill located close to the shoreline. In addition, the role of urban runoffs and landfill leachates as an emission source to marine environment was estimated. Samples were taken from two locations in western Helsinki in December 2015 and in April 2016. The first sampling point represented urban runoff alone and the second sampling point mainly leachates from a former landfill. The urban runoff and leachates are discharged directly into the environment. Microplastics as well as certain PAHs, PCBs, phthalates, PBDEs and PFASs were analyzed from these samples. Microplastics and harmful substances were detected in all the samples. Considering microplastics, fibres were found more in the urban runoff samples than in the Mätäjoki brook next to the former landfill, where, on the other hand, the concentration of synthetic particles was higher. The former landfill turned out as a source of PAHs, PCBs and PFASs to the environment, whereas PBDEs and phthalates were detected with higher concentrations in the Mätäjoki brook. The amount of organic and solid material may affect on the concentrations of certain substances of lower water solubility especially in the runoffs. Moreover, the influence of heavy rain especially to the concentrations of leachates can be significant. Certain PAH compounds exceeded certain limit values in the urban runoff of Haaga and the Mätäjoki brook next to the former landfill.