Phthalates and Nonylphenols in Stormwater: A Substance Flow Analysis

Paper in proceeding, 2009

The occurrence of several phthalates and nonylphenol in water environments is highly undesired because of their negative effects on aquatic organisms. The objectives of this study were to identify emission sources of phthalates, nonylphenol and its ethoxylates (NP/EOs) in urban stormwater, and to quantify the substance fluxes from the source to the stormwater system, using the methodology of substance flow analysis (SFA). The flow analysis showed that phthalates are mainly emitted from vehicles and coated roofing material, whereas the major NP/EOs sources are vehicles and concrete. It was estimated that approximately 5.5 kg of four selected phthalates and more than 400 g of NP/EOs are emitted annually to stormwater in the studied area. The SFA approach presented in this study could be applied in urban catchments of various character to estimate fluxes of unwanted water contaminants.