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Nonpoint source pollution of urban stormwater runoff: a methodology for source analysis

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Abstract

The characterization and control of runoff pollution from nonpoint sources in urban areas are a major issue for the protection of aquatic environments. We propose a methodology to quantify the sources of pollutants in an urban catchment and to analyze the associated uncertainties. After describing the methodology, we illustrate it through an application to the sources of Cu, Pb, Zn, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from a residential catchment (228 ha) in the Paris region. In this application, we suggest several procedures that can be applied for the analysis of other pollutants in different catchments, including an estimation of the total extent of roof accessories (gutters and downspouts, watertight joints and valleys) in a catchment. These accessories result as the major source of Pb and as an important source of Zn in the example catchment, while activity-related sources (traffic, heating) are dominant for Cu (brake pad wear) and PAH (tire wear, atmospheric deposition).

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Acknowledgments

This study was realized in the framework of the INOGEV research program. The program is funded by the French National Research Agency. The authors thank the OPUR program.

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Correspondence to Guido Petrucci.

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Electronic supplementary material

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Supplementary materials table 1

Summary of the available estimations of the metal and PAH content of tires. (DOC 42 kb)

Supplementary materials table 2

Summary of the available estimations of the metal and PAH content of roads. (DOC 34 kb)

Supplementary materials table 3

Summary of the available estimations of the metal and PAH content in vehicle exhaust. (DOC 39 kb)

Supplementary materials table 4

Summary of pollutant content, wear and fraction to the ground for tire, road and exhaust. (DOC 53 kb)

Supplementary materials table 5

Specific emissions from roof materials (DOC 37 kb)

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Petrucci, G., Gromaire, MC., Shorshani, M.F. et al. Nonpoint source pollution of urban stormwater runoff: a methodology for source analysis. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21, 10225–10242 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-2845-4

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