Screening of Organic Contaminants in Urban Snow
Journal article, 2011

Snowmelt is known to cause peak concentrations of pollutants, which may adversely affect receiving water quality. High concentrations of metals and suspended solids in snow have been reported, whereas studies on organic pollutants are rare. This study aims at investigating the occurrence of anthropogenic organic compounds in urban snow in Gothenburg (Sweden). The most frequently detected organic pollutants in the collected snow samples were polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), high molecular-weight phthalates, 4-nonylphenol and 4-t-octylphenol. Brominated flame retardants and chlorinated paraffins were only sporadically detected. In several snow samples, the concentrations of specific PAHs, alkylphenols and phthalates were higher than reported stormwater concentrations and European water quality standards. Pollutant source identification and sustainable management of snow are important instruments for the mitigation of organic contaminants in the urban environment.

sources

Alkylphenols

perfluorinated compounds

PAHs

phthalates

urban runoff

Author

Karin Björklund

Chalmers, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Environment Technology

Ann-Margret Hvitt Strömvall

FRIST competence centre

Chalmers, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Environment Technology

Per-Arne Malmqvist

Chalmers, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Environment Technology

Water Science and Technology

0273-1223 (ISSN) 19969732 (eISSN)

Vol. 64 1 206-213

Areas of Advance

Building Futures (2010-2018)

Subject Categories

Water Engineering

Other Environmental Engineering

DOI

10.2166/wst.2011.642

More information

Created

10/7/2017