Comprehensive assessment of micropollutants in stormwater runoff from industrial and urban sites using suspect and non-target screening
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Stormwater runoff transports contaminants from urban infrastructure, automotive wear, industrial activities, and other sources into water bodies, while conventional monitoring focuses on known pollutants, leaving many emerging or unregulated compounds undetected. To obtain a comprehensive pollution profile, two retention-soil-filter (RSF) sites in Luxembourg were selected. (i) Raemerich, influenced by industrial and vehicular activities, and (ii) Grass Steinfort, representing road and rooftop runoff. First flushes were collected and analyzed for conventional water quality parameters, followed by combined suspect and non-target screening. Preliminary results show Raemerich runoff is heavily polluted, with COD (0-175 mg/L), and TSS (2-1378 mg/L) far exceeding levels at Steinfort. Inorganic pollutants including Na⁺, Cl⁻ , SO₄²⁻ , Br⁻ , and Mg²⁺ were consistently higher than Steinfort, peaking during rainfall-driven wash-off. Metals of concern included Mo, Ni, and V, reaching 14, 16, and 6 mg/L, respectively. Suspect screening detected eight priority contaminants at Raemerich (2a-3a/3c confidence), highlighting diverse pollution sources. Industrial markers 5-methyl-1H-benzotriazole and tributyl phosphate were prominent in inlet and RSF effluent, while pharmaceuticals (ibuprofen, lidocaine) and pesticides (propiconazole, isoproturon) were also observed. Lower but recurrent levels of DEET and Bisphenol A-d16 reflected general urban contamination. RSF effluent showed reduced intensities, for ibuprofen, lidocaine, and isoproturon, suggesting partial attenuation. However, key contaminants persisted in RSF effluent, showing that RSF inadequately remove micropollutants and require optimization.
Source: HAL
Institution: University of Luxembourg
Language: English
Subfield: Pollution
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7212412505