32 urban stormwater pond sediment samples were analyzed for 259 organic substances, 13 trace elements, physico-chemical parameters and acute toxicity of eluates to the bioluminescent bacteria Aliivibrio fischeri according to the Microtox® method. Five of these samples showed some toxicity to Aliivibrio fischeri. Statistical analysis was conducted to identify substances with significantly different concentrations between toxic and non-toxic samples, as well as differences in contaminant patterns between these sets. Results showed no significant differences in trace element, organic contaminant concentrations or overall contaminant patterns between toxic and non-toxic samples. However, dissolved oxygen was significantly lower in toxic than in non-toxic samples, likely due to an influence on the lability of contaminants. This work highlights the difficulty of conducting a pertinent and robust environmental hazard assessment for complex matrices composed of a large number of substances present at low concentrations and discusses the advantages and limitations of both chemical and biological approaches to environmental hazard assessment for urban stormwater sediments. Because the evaluation of urban stormwater sediments is so complex, to comprehensively and accurately analyse its risks, it is very important to consider both biological and chemical factors. Considering both will provide an accurate identification of possible risks and enhanced control of environmental risks in urban areas.

Urban runoff is an important conveyor of microplastics (MPs) and tyre wear particles (TWP) to receiving waters. However, knowledge of contributions by surfaces within land use type/activities is currently limited. To address this knowledge gap, runoff samples were collected simultaneously during three rainfall events in October and November 2020 at three locations in Luleå, Sweden, with different urban surfaces (parking lot, road and roof). The occurrence of MPs (by number and estimated mass) and TWP (mass) were determined using μ-FTIR and Pyr-GC/MS, respectively. MPs and TWP were found at all sites in all events, with large variations between events and sites. The highest concentrations of MPs (number) and TWP were found in road runoff followed by parking lot runoff and roof runoff. The mass concentrations of MPs did not follow the same pattern and were generally highest at the parking lot, highlighting the importance of reporting data as both mass and particle numbers to derive a complete overview of MPs and TWP behaviour. Polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester accounted, on average, for 99 % of MP polymers (by mass and number) at all sites with common sources, including traffic (vehicle wear and tear) and littering. MPs in the <75 μm fraction contributed >50 % of the total number of MPs in parking lot runoff, >58 % in roof runoff and > 90 % in road runoff.

Stormwater runoff transports organic contaminants from urban areas to receiving water bodies, yet its contribution to these pollutants in the aquatic environment is still poorly understood. Additionally, contaminants behave differently in receiving waters, with some binding to particles and accumulating in sediments while others stay dissolved in the water. This study was carried out three Swedish urban streams receiving stormwater discharges through separate sewer systems, under dry and wet weather conditions. Stream water and bottom sediment samples were collected along an urbanization gradient, from rural upstream to urban downstream sections, and analyzed for 50 stormwater-related organic contaminants to assess the impact of stormwater on contaminant levels. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalates were more prevalent in sediment samples, with concentrations increasing along the urbanization gradient, indicating contributions from urban areas and stormwater runoff. In contrast, organotin compounds and phenols showed no clear pattern indicating transport through stormwater runoff in the water phase. Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) behaved differently from other contaminant groups by exhibiting a clear contribution from stormwater runoff in both phases. Though carried out in streams passing through relatively small urban settings, the findings clearly demonstrate that stormwater discharges can impact receiving waters. Of the 50 analyzed contaminants, three exceeded toxicity-based limits in dry weather (DW), seven in wet weather (WW), and twenty in bottom sediments. In the water phase, under DW and WW conditions, the three contaminants with the highest exceedance of toxicity-based limits were Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), Tributyltin (TBT), and 4-nonylphenol (4-NP). In the sediment phase, 4‑tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP), Tributyltin (TBT), and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) were the three compounds with the highest exceedance of toxicity-based limits. Compared to relatively hydrophilic contaminants (e.g., PFAS), hydrophobic organic contaminants, particularly those accumulating in sediments (e.g. phenols, phthalates), posed a greater risk to the aquatic environment with exceedance levels reaching up to 105 times the thresholds. These findings raise concerns about the long-term impact on aquatic environments and highlight the need for mitigation strategies, including regulatory or operational restrictions on the contaminant sources and implementation of stormwater treatment facilities.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are extensively used in urban environments and are, thus, found in urban stormwater. However, the relevance of stormwater as a pathway for PFAS to urban streams is largely unknown. This study evaluated the impact of urban stormwater runoff on PFAS concentrations and spatial distribution in three urban streams affected by stormwater discharges from separate sewer systems. River water was sampled during dry (DW) and wet weather (WW) upstream, immediately downstream, and further downstream of three urbanized areas with separate sewer systems and with and without point sources (i.e. waste water treatment plant, airports). Water samples were analyzed for 34 targeted PFAS compounds and sediment samples for 35 targeted PFAS and 30 PFAS compounds using a total oxidizable precursor assay. The sum of the quantified PFAS concentrations ranged from the reporting limit (RL) to 84.7 ng/L during DW and increased as the streams were affected by WW discharges (0.87 to 102.3 ng/L). The highest PFAS concentrations were found downstream of urban areas and/or point sources (i.e. airports) during WW, indicating a clear contribution from stormwater discharges. A consistent PFAS contribution from the WWTP was observed under both DW and WW conditions. During WW events, concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and total PFAS (PFOA equivalents) exceeded the annual average environmental quality standards, which are an established limit of 0.65 ng/L for PFOS and a proposed limit of 4.4 ng/L for total PFAS. Notably, except for the legacy PFAS, PFOS and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the most frequently quantified PFAS during DW were short-chain. For WW, long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and a precursor, 6:2 Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS), were more frequently quantified, suggesting stormwater is a source of these longer-chain and particle-associated PFAS. The detection of unregulated fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTSs) such as 6:2 and 8:2 FTS during WW suggests a need for regulatory action, as these compounds can degrade into more stable PFAS. In sediment, higher concentrations, and a greater variety of PFAS were found at sites with known point sources i.e. airports. Long-chain PFCAs (C7–C13), perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs) (C6), and precursors (i.e. N-Ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoacetic acid), were more prevalent in sediments than in the water. Notably, PFOS concentrations in sediment exceeded the lowest Predicted No-Effect Concentration (PNEC) across sites, posing a potential long-term environmental risk, though current PNECs for other PFAS may underestimate such risks. The findings of the study highlight urban stormwater as a source of PFAS to urban streams indicating the need to minimize PFAS sources in the urban environment and to effectively treat stormwater to protect receiving water bodies.

Urbant dagvatten kan innehålla per- och polyfluoralkylämnen (PFAS). Den nuvarande kunskapen omförekomst och transport av PFAS i reningsanläggningar för urbant dagvatten är fortfarande mycketbegränsad. Den här studien utvärderar förekomst, ackumulering och fördelning av 35 PFAS och derasprekursorer i filtermaterial och försedimenteringssteg i tjugo biofilteranläggningar som varit i drift längreän 7 år. C5-14,16 perfluoralkylkarboxylsyror (PFCA), C4,8,10 perfluoralkansulfonsyror (PFSA), metylperfluoroktansulfonamidättiksyra (MeFOSAA, en känd PFSA-prekursor) och okända C6-8 PFCAprekursorer var de vanligast förekommande ackumulerade föreningarna. PFAS och deras prekursoreråterfanns i alla djup i liknande förekomster och koncentrationer. Trots att halterna var något högre i detövre filterlagret och minskande med djup var dessa skillnader i regel inte statistiskt signifikanta. Det fannsingen tydlig skillnad mellan fördelningen av kort- och långkedjiga PFAS, trots att långkedjiga ämnen(PFSAs>C5 och PFCAs>C7) förväntades ha mindre mobilitet på grund av deras högre hydrofobicitet. Deövre 5 cm av biofiltren innehöll ofta de högsta föroreningsnivåerna av PFAS och okända prekursorer,men de fanns också djupare ner i filtret. I motsats till exempelvis metaller och PAHer, räcker det sannolikt inte att endast byta ut det översta filterlagret och/eller sediment på toppen av filtret för att avlägsnamer komplexa och mobila föroreningar som PFAS.

Biocides are incorporated into building surface materials to protect them against algae and fungi growth. When such treated surfaces are exposed to precipitation, they may release these biocides, contaminating receiving water bodies. To regulate the use of biocidal products in line with the European Biocidal Products Regulation it is crucial to identify the precise origin of this type of pollutant. In this study, the leaching of a wide range of biocides and chemical elements from 15 materials was investigated through a laboratory scale experiment. The experimental setup was based on the standard method, SIS-CEN/TS 16637-2:2015. The materials tested included bitumen roofing felt and shingles, impregnated wood, as well as paints intended for concrete, wood, and metal surfaces. Each material was tested in duplicates. All materials were tested at a liquid volume to surface area ratio (L/A) of 22.5 L/m2. Sampling was carried out at three intervals: 6 h, 18 h, and 5 days with the leachant being renewed after each leaching step. The results were that diuron was the most commonly detected biocide from the materials tested. The largest number of biocides, including diuron and its degradation products 1-(3.4-dichlorophenyl) urea (DCPU) and diuron desdimethyl (DCPMU), terbutryn, carbendazim and monuron, were detected in the wood paints. Diuron was detected in all three types of wood paint with a mean areal release ratio of 64.6, 25800, and 5710 μg/m2 for the respective paints. Copper was detected in all leachates from impregnated wood, with mean concentrations of 687, 648, 1450, and 279 μg/L from the four tested wood types, respectively. Some of the biocides released were not reported on the data sheets of the tested materials, indicating a need to investigate broader than only based on the information provided by the manufacturers. Future use of biocides in building surface materials may change due to regulations, phase outs and introduction of new biocides, indicating that source identifications is a continuing effort.

Stormwater is recognised as a vector for microplastics (MPs), including tyre wear particles (TWPs) from land-based sources to receivingwaterbodies. Before reaching the waterbodies, the stormwater may be treated. In this study, sediments from six treatment facilities (fiveretention ponds and a subsurface sedimentation tank) were analysed to understand MP occurrence, concentrations, sizes, polymer typesand distribution between inlet and outlet. The concentrations of MPs showed large variations between and within different facilities withMP concentrations of 1,440–72,209 items/kg (analysed by μFTIR) corresponding to 120–2,950 μg/kg and TWP concentrations from ,DL upto 69,300 μg/kg (analysed by pyrolysis–GC–MS), with significantly higher concentrations at the inlet compared to the outlet. Polypropylene(PP) was the predominant MP type in terms of number in all samples. TWPs were dominant by mass in most (nine) samples. The relativelylow density of PP polymers implies that density might not be the sole factor influencing particle settlement behaviour. Small particlesoccurred more frequently than large ones; around 70% of the particles detected in the samples were 100 μm or smaller. In summary, thisstudy highlights the occurrence of MPs, including TWPs, in stormwater facilities and demonstrates variations in concentrations dependingon sites and locations within the facility.

Stormwater and wastewater floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) can contain plastic floating support systems. However, to date, there has been only one field study into whether a sole FTW was a potential source of microplastics in the environment. In this laboratory study, it was investigated whether floating support systems made from different types of polymers in different FTWs release microplastic when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It was found that FTWs made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET; median release of PET=4.6  μg/cm2) released more microplastics than FTWs made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE; median release of HDPE=1.1  μg/cm2). Adding polyurethane (PUR) seems to cause a higher microplastic release from FTWs. Different UV exposures produced no obvious effect on microplastic release from the FTWs. Given the large variation of the data and the limited number of FTW samples, further studies on this topic are recommended.