Among these impacts, extensive expansion of human activities has resulted in the huge demands for wide range of synthetic organic chemicals and increases their discharge into the environment. These organic chemicals, collectively termed emerging organic contaminants (EOCs). include ingredients of PPCPs, pesticides, hormones, and industrial ingredients (such as flame retardants, PFASs, and plasticizers). The extensive application and presence of EOCs in our daily consumer products and the nature of these substances results in their widespread distribution and discharge primarily to the aquatic and soil environment. As a result, they have become ubiquitously detectable and pseudo-persistent in environments across the world with the potential for accumulation in food chains.
In this session, we will examine (i) the particular biophysical processes of the urban critical zone in interactions with anthropogenic processes controlled by human activities and stakeholders, and (ii) transport, interactions and biogeochemical process of pollutants, and especially EOCs in sole surface water, groundwater and soil systems, and their interfaces.
The objective of the session is
- to offer insights into the urban critical zone, particularly those that include observations, measurements of fluxes, descriptions of biogeochemical, physical and human resilience processes, and the development of models to address these cross-cutting issues.
- to facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue in order to establish the urban critical zone as a unifying concept.
- to explore the state of the art in sampling methodologies, and lab scale, field and modelling studies for transport, interactions and biogeochemical process of EOCs between water-soil interfaces/systems, to provide a comprehensive perspective for understanding their environmental fate and behavior in the aquatic environment, for the further assessment of their potential risk.
Orals: Thu, 1 May | Room -2.33
Urbanization and soil impermeabilization disrupt the natural water cycle, producing stormwater runoff that carries contaminants such as hydrocarbons, trace metal elements (TMEs), and pesticides (Makepeace et al., 1995). These pollutants, originating from urban surfaces, can harm aquatic ecosystems and groundwater. While stormwater management systems have been developed to control runoff hydraulics, their effectiveness in protecting water quality remains underexplored. The role of colloidal fractions and nanoparticles in the dynamics of contaminants in water infiltration structures must be examined in order to better control the risks of groundwater contamination. This study aims to address this by investigating TMEs in two sites.
The critical zone concept, originally applied to natural environments, must be adapted for urban areas where human activities and infrastructure shape biogeochemical processes. This research examines TME behavior in the industrial and residential areas of the Lyon region, which have similar impermeability but different land uses, to assess how these factors influence TME distribution. Initially, stormwater runoff from both sites is broadly characterized, identifying TMEs in total and dissolved forms. This screening helps determine potential environmental risks and differences in pollution loads between industrial and residential sites. By comparing total and dissolved TME concentrations, we can assess whether these elements are bound to particles or remain in the dissolved phase, impacting their mobility and environmental risks.
Using ultrafiltration, the study further explores how TMEs are transported by separating them into different size fractions: particulate (>0.45 µm), colloidal (0.45 µm – 3 kDa), and dissolved (<3 kDa) phases. Special attention is given to the colloidal phase, which plays a critical role in adsorbing and stabilizing contaminants (Sen and Khilar, 2006). Due to their small size and large surface area, colloids are key vectors for contaminant mobility, directly influencing the fate of pollutants in urban environments.
This research contributes to the urban critical zone concept by examining TME behavior across different land uses and size fractions. It fosters interdisciplinary dialogue by addressing biogeochemical processes in urban environments and their interaction with human activities. By evaluating both total concentrations and size distribution, the study provides a comprehensive understanding of TME behavior in urban runoff, advancing efforts to mitigate environmental impacts in sustainable urban development. Through its focus on pollutant fluxes and contaminant distribution, this work supports a systemic approach to managing urban stormwater and improving water quality.
References :
Makepeace, D. K., Smith, D. W., & Stanley, S. J. (1995). Urban stormwater quality: summary of contaminant data. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 25(2), 93-139.
Sen, T. K., et Khilar, K. C., 2006, Review on subsurface colloids and colloid-associated contaminant transport in saturated porous media. Advances in colloid and interface science, 119(2-3), 71-96.
How to cite: Potreau, S., Blanc, D., and Gautier, M.: Characterizing Trace Metal Distribution in Urban Stormwater: Focus on Particulate, Colloidal, and Dissolved Fractions in the Lyon Metropole, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-17176, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-17176, 2025.
As soil artificialization and climate change continue to accelerate, effective stormwater management has become essential to mitigate flooding and preserve water resources, leading to the widespread development of stormwater management facilities based on infiltration (e.g., basins, swales, trenches, raingardens). Runoff carries suspended particles, which act as vectors for various micropollutants that can be potentially harmful or toxic to aquatic life. These facilities promote the retention of such pollutants through sedimentation and/or filtration. However, the layer of deposited sediment can, over time, impair their functioning (e.g., hydraulic regulation and contaminant mitigation). Inadequate management of sediment can thus negate the benefits of these facilities and lead to higher maintenance costs. Given the increasing implementation of stormwater infiltration facilities, accurately characterizing sediment accumulation is crucial for anticipating future maintenance needs across urban territories. However, to date, most existing methods, based on continuous measurements of flow rates and turbidity and/or stormwater sampling, are unsuitable for routine assessments across multiple sites.
This study proposes a rapid and cost-effective approach to evaluate sediment accumulation rates in stormwater infiltration facilities. The total accumulated volume over a known period is estimated by measuring sediment height along a tailored grid, combined with geostatistical interpolation. A detailed analysis of the dry bulk density of stormwater sediments, ranging from 0.4 to 1.2 g/cm³, also enables mass estimation, while knowledge of the accumulation duration allows the calculation of the average annual accumulation rate. The reliability of the method in delivering accurate estimates of the average annual particle load for urban catchments was verified by (i) comparing the results with continuous monitoring data from a pilot site over several years, and (ii) applying the method to nine sites in France and comparing the results with literature data.
Particle load estimates from this dataset showed significant variability, typically ranging from 50 to 2000 kg/ha impervious surface/year. In areas with lower sediment accumulation potential (e.g., residential areas or low-volume parking lots), loads generally do not exceed 1000 kg/haimp/yr, while more productive areas (e.g., high-traffic roads or heavy industrial sites) can reach up to 2000 kg/haimp/yr. These values can be translated into filling rates for facilities (cm/yr) by considering the degree of system centralization, defined by the ratio of infiltration area to catchment area. This rate tends to be several times higher in a centralized basin (almost 10 cm/yr) than in a source infiltration system (up to 1 cm/yr). However, spatially distributed measurements revealed heterogeneous accumulation patterns linked to hydraulic functioning, enabling targeted sediment removal as a prudent and cost-effective solution.
This approach enables the estimation of sediment accumulation rates across various urban catchments and provides an indirect method for quantifying contaminants that tend to associate with particles. Efficient in terms of both time and cost, this method supports the strategic planning of maintenance operations across diverse urban contexts, including densely populated cities and environmentally sensitive areas. By enhancing the long-term effectiveness of stormwater infiltration facilities, it helps prevent water contamination and mitigate risks to fragile ecosystems.
How to cite: Chabert, M., Tedoldi, D., Large, G., Lakel, A., Fardel, A., Lipeme Kouyi, G., Gasc, A., Nguyen, E., and Chatain, V.: A rapid and cost-effective method for assessing sediment volumes and accumulation rates in stormwater infiltration facilities, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-12103, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-12103, 2025.
Urban areas face increasing environmental challenges from rapid urbanization, climate change and anthropogenic pressures. These disrupt natural hydrological cycles, leading to critical problems such as rise and fall groundwater levels with a series of chained consequences. Our study applies a critical urban zone approach (Bucharest district) to start within a framework of an accurate urban groundwater balance to analyze biophysical and chemical processes in the urban environment, focusing on the Circus Lake Park in Bucharest. The site presents a complex setting shaped by decades of anthropogenic alterations, including extensive excavation, infrastructure development, and impervious surfaces that disrupt natural hydrological processes. Climate-induced changes in precipitation patterns combined with the infrastructure modifications exacerbate these challenges, reducing groundwater recharge and lowering the lake levels. By incorporating alternative water resource (AWR) solutions, our study aims to establish sustainable water management strategies tailored to the existing urban ecosystem.
The methodology integrates field experiments, laboratory analysis, and hydrological modeling to address water scarcity and pollution challenges. Infiltration tests using several methods quantified the hydraulic conductivity of heterogeneous anthropogenic urban unsaturated zone. Chemical and biological analyses of water samples from rainfall, and street runoff assessed parameters such as dissolved oxygen, heavy metals, and nutrient concentrations. An experimental filtration system comprising sand, gravel, and activated charcoal layers was designed and tested to evaluate its efficacy in treating stormwater. Hydrological and hydrogeological models were developed to simulate rainfall, runoff, and infiltration processes, enabling the assessment of aquifer recharge potential.
The results underscore the value of the critical zone approach in addressing the multifaceted challenges of urban water management. The findings reveal the effectiveness of integrating scientific methodologies with practical interventions to mitigate the impacts of urbanization and climate change. Nature-based solutions, such as stormwater filtration and aquifer recharge, demonstrate their effectiveness in adapting urban ecosystems to these pressures. Circus Lake Park serves as a replicable model, providing a blueprint for cities around the world to implement sustainable water management strategies. Beyond technical interventions, this study emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder involvement. Local authorities, water operators and community organizations were actively involved, ensuring that the proposed solutions align with social, economic and environmental priorities. This collaborative approach fosters wider acceptance and ensures long-term sustainability of interventions.
The research highlights the critical importance of integrating diverse scientific, technical, and social perspectives to advance urban sustainability frameworks. By linking theoretical insights with practical applications, this study demonstrates how critical zone processes can contribute to adaptive and efficient water resource management in urban contexts. Future research should focus on scaling these strategies and evaluating their long-term ecological and social impacts to further inform global urban resilience efforts.
How to cite: Luca, O., Moraru, I., Ghibus, T., Zonouzi, O., Miller, M., Gogu, R., Gheorghe, A., and Demianovschi, V.: Exploring Critical Zone Processes for Sustainable Water Management: The Case of Circus Lake Park, Bucharest, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-21779, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-21779, 2025.
In urban areas, water bodies provide a number of ecosystem services that are particularly crucial: flood control, preservation of biodiversity, formation of cool islands, recreational activities, landscape quality, etc.
Lakes and ponds are part of the urban critical zone. Many of them have been created in the recent decades as sand-pit lakes or retention ponds. Sand-pit lakes are the result of sand and gravel extraction for the construction of towns. Retention ponds have been implemented to limit flooding risks and to reduce the pollution peaks associated with heavy rainfall. Actually, in the context of climate change, urbanisation which is associated with the imperviousness of soils, increases the run-off processes.
Moreover, the large interface between the aquatic and terrestrial environments makes these urban lakes fundamental ecosystems for maintaining biodiversity in the city.
The hydrodynamics, ecological functioning and fate of contaminants in the water column of these lakes are very important environmental issues. In order to better understand the physical and biogeochemical processes at stake and to which extent they may be affected by climate change, autonomous monitoring stations can provide long-term, high-frequency, reliable datasets. These data are also very useful for the calibration of numerical model parameters.
The monitoring station implemented in Lake Creteil, in a highly urbanised area of the Greater Paris region (France) is presented. The surface area of the lake is 0.4 km2, average depth 4 m, maximum depth 6 m. The lake is fed by groundwater flowing from the Marne to the Seine and by the stormwater network of an urban catchment (1 km2). This observation platform is part of an OSU (Observatoire des Sciences de l’Univers) and is also associated to the French SNO OBSERVIL (Service National d’Observation) network.
The instrumented buoy is equipped with underwater probes to measure physical and biogeochemical parameters and a weather station. Underwater measurements are performed every 15 minutes and meteorological measurements every 10 minutes. Temperature probes (CS225 Campbell) are deployed at five different depths: 0.5 m, 1.5 m, 2.5 m, 3.5 m and 4.5 m. At 1.5 m depth, a multiparameter probe (YSI Exo3) measures oxygen, conductivity, chlorophyll-a and phycocyanin. The weather station measures the wind speed and direction, air temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, rainfall height, short and longwave radiations.
The lake data are exported to a local database via a GSM protocol. The data is visualized on a web dashboard using the open-source Grafana software. On the dashboard, the timeseries of the underwater and the meteorological measurements are displayed in a panel and the short-term (2 days) forecast of the variables obtained by a neural network model are plotted as gauge charts.
The results of the timeseries analysis are presented to illustrate how some physical and biogeochemical processes occurring in the lake (e.g. thermal stratification, peak of phytoplankton biomass, anoxia of the deep layers…) have been quantified. The use of the data for parameter calibration and validation of hydro-ecological numerical models is also presented.
How to cite: Vinçon-Leite, B., Cartier, Y., Guillot – Le Goff, A., Marquet, A., Saad, M., and Dubois, P.: Improving the understanding of the functioning of water bodies in the urban critical zoneAn observation platform of an urban lake in the Greater Paris region, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-11927, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-11927, 2025.
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) contamination is a global and pervasive problem in the riverine ecosystem, where rivers serve as conduits, transporting microplastics from land-based sources to the ocean. MPs transport is influenced by physical characteristics and hydrodynamics, with high-density MPs likely to be near riverbeds, while low-density particles float over river surfaces. The transport of MPs occurs either due to settling (horizontal transport) or gravity-driven (vertical transport). This study investigates the intricate relationships between sediment transport, hydrological processes, and the behavior of various MPs, with a particular focus on their vertical and horizontal migration in riverine environments. Additionally, the study highlights how the physicochemical properties of MPs influence their transport within these systems. Several removal methods have been developed to mitigate microplastic pollution, including coagulation/sedimentation, adsorption, ultrafiltration, biodegradation, and photocatalytic degradation. These techniques have proven effective in eliminating microplastics composed of polymers such as polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Among the solutions, biochar and microbial agents stand out as promising, eco-friendly alternatives. Therefore, this study also emphasizes the importance of the development of effective removal of MPs to protect aquatic ecosystems.
Keywords: Microplastics; Riverine; Ocean pollution; Vertical; horizontal movement
How to cite: Bahukhandi, K. D., Arya, S., Kamboj, N., and Dogra, K.: Microplastic Pathways: Investigating Vertical and Horizontal Movement from Riverine Environments to Oceans, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-10888, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-10888, 2025.
Biocides are used extensively in urban settings for façade coatings, roof waterproofing, and termite control. During rainy weather, they are released into building runoff, causing negative impacts on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Prior studies mainly focused on laboratory experiments or small-scale contexts. Urban-scale modeling, however, has rarely been explored. This is due to the complexity of biocide behavior, the spatiotemporal variability of emission factors, and the limited knowledge about biocide use and existing stocks within the urban critical zone. Our objective is to assess the stock potential and emission potential of biocides from building envelopes in the Parisian conurbation. We also aim to develop and implement a model at the urban scale to evaluate the fluxes of biocides emitted in runoff water from building facades. One of the main factors that significantly influences the emissions is the wind-driven rain (WDR), which directly affects the volume of water runoff on building facades. Since emissions strongly depend on WDR, precise modeling needs adequate meteorological data, especially for extensive metropolitan regions. Our research focuses on the Île-de-France region, a heterogeneous and extensive urban area. This study examines the variability in meteorological data—namely precipitation, wind speed, and wind direction from nine stations located across the area (Acheres, Le Bourget, Longchamp, Magnanville, Orly, Paris Mont-Souris, Roissy, Trappes, and Villacoublay). By analyzing the data from these stations, we seek to quantify the variability in meteorological conditions across the area; evaluate the influence of these variations on cumulative biocide emissions; and assess the potential enhancement of accuracy and reliability in emission estimations by the combination of data from various stations.
To estimate biocide runoff from facades, we will develop scenarios on COMLEAM, a software program created by HSR (Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil) that simulates the leaching of hazardous compounds from building materials subjected to environmental conditions. The scenario used considers a building with eight façades oriented in primary compass directions made of render matte containing encapsulated terbutryn. Leaching behavior is approximated using mathematical functions from experimental data. As our investigation will not include an experimental component, we will depend on those suggested by COMLEAM, particularly the logarithmic function, which has been shown to be the most effective for characterizing biocide emissions. The emission function applied for terbutryn follows a logarithmic relationship derived from field studies in Zurich.
The findings demonstrate WDR's strong effect on biocide emissions, with important variation between measurements of each station. Two extremes were identified: Roissy had the highest cumulative WDR (200 L/m² from South-West) and emissions (~11,000 mg), whereas Acheres had significantly lower WDR (70 L/m² from South-West) and emissions (~7,000 mg). The others had comparable findings, with a total WDR of 140 L/m² and emissions of 10,000 mg over 10 years. These results also highlight the importance of the measurement station's location, as open-space stations (e.g., Roissy) exhibited higher WDR due to reduced shielding. From this study, we deduce that using large-scale meteorological data introduces biases, making meteorological parameter refinement essential for improving accuracy.
How to cite: Saad, R., Gromaire, M.-C., Bressy, A., Katia, C., and Ghassan, C.: Variability of Biocide Emissions from Building Facades Based on Meteorological Data, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-13816, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-13816, 2025.
The extensive use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) at US military facilities has led to significant contamination of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) of the subsurface. So far, PFASs contamination at firefighting training areas (FTAs) has been mostly studied in groundwater and soil, neglecting the contribution of leaching from PFASs-contaminated construction materials such as concrete and asphalt into the adjacent environment. Previous studies measured PFASs concentrations reaching up to mg/kg in concrete and asphalt at FTAs and leaching substantial levels (up to μg/L) into runoff water.
Our study investigates the PFASs leaching behavior from AFFF-impacted construction materials, focusing on concrete and asphalt sourced from military sites. The primary objectives include evaluating PFAS leaching rates and duration under various weathered and stabilizer-treated conditions and assessing the effectiveness and potential longevity of reforming techniques and sorbent materials in mitigating PFAS contamination in surface runoff. These data are critical for estimating stormwater treatment lifecycle costs and comparing treatment with other remedial alternatives, such as excavation and disposal. Dynamic rainfall simulations were conducted on intact PFAS-contaminated cores to replicate field conditions. Preliminary results indicate that biochars hold significant potential as sorbents when integrated into concrete formulations, effectively adsorbing PFASs and improving the concrete matrix. Additionally, we hypothesize that rainfall contact time on concrete and asphalt surfaces plays a critical role in influencing PFAS concentrations, a hypothesis which will be tested through both laboratory experiments and modeling efforts. To support this, a funnel prototype was developed to assess the effects of slope and contact time on PFAS leaching profiles. These findings provide important insights into PFAS leachability under varying conditions and highlight the environmental implications of reusing PFAS-impacted construction materials across various industries, including PFAS manufacturing and chrome plating.
The results underscore the critical need for additional leaching experiments to advance sustainable reuse practices for PFAS-impacted construction materials. Such efforts are essential for developing cost-effective source control strategies and lifecycle comparisons to inform broader remediation frameworks in both military and industrial applications.
Keywords: PFASs-impacted construction materials, Leaching behavior, Dynamic rainfall simulation, Concrete and asphalt reuse, Sorbent materials.
How to cite: Hamidi, F., Sharma, A., Fries, E., Mueller, J., Thai, P., Jekimovs, L., Fiorenza, S., Toth, K., Steets, B., Ervin, J., Tunstall, L. E., and Higgins, C. P.: Leaching of PFASs from PFAS-Impacted Construction Materials: An Experimental and Modeling Study, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-13211, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-13211, 2025.
Rivers and streams worldwide are increasingly impacted by emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) as a result of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents discharges and human and industrial activities. Within this context, the hyporheic zone (HZ), which is the interface between surface water and groundwater, is often regarded as a critical compartment for EOCs attenuation. This is due to processes such as sorption onto soil organic and mineral phases, as well as biotransformation mediated by the diverse microbial communities present in such environments. However, the distinction between these two attenuation pathways is frequently hindered by the highly variable hydrochemical conditions encountered in field studies. To address this issue, we conducted a series of laboratory experiments designed to replicate the natural conditions of the HZ of a heavily polluted stream in the Hessian Ried, Germany.
The experimental setup consisted of a set of three different column experiments, each performed in triplicate. To achieve this, we collected nine undisturbed soil cores of 25 cm from the riverbed of the Landgraben, a stream impacted for decades by industrial and domestic WWTP effluents. The experiments differed in the feeding solution. For the first set of columns, we used real river water, collected every two weeks, stored refrigerated and replenished every three days to avoid changes in chemical composition. For the second group we spiked the inflow water with a cocktail of five pesticides not detected in the river water but commonly used in the area for pest control, to investigate their fate in the HZ. Finally, for the last set of triplicates, we used tap water free of EOCs as inflow water to characterize desorption processes. Samples were regularly collected from the inflows and outflows of all columns to generate breakthrough curves of EOCs over a total duration of 300 pore volumes, with flow rates adjusted to replicate residence times observed in the field. A total of 28 EOCs were analyzed using LC-MS/MS, covering a broad spectrum of physicochemical properties, including ionic speciation and polarity, which are key factors controlling the fate of EOCs in soils.
Our results showed that many of the analyzed compounds are highly mobile in the HZ and not attenuated. This is attributed in some cases to high polarity (e.g., candesartan, gabapentin, hydrochlorothiazide, valsartan acid) and in others to the saturation of sorption sites (e.g., metoprolol, sitagliptin). Only a few compounds exhibited evidence of transformation (e.g., diatrizoic acid, iopromide, sulfamethoxazole). Compounds with medium polarity and with negative or neutral speciation were slightly attenuated, primarily through sorption (e.g., carbamazepine, diclofenac, irbesartan, 1,2,3-benzotriazole). Overall, our findings suggest that the HZ of a long-term polluted stream is capable of mitigating only a small fraction of EOCs, posing a significant risk to surface and groundwater bodies.
How to cite: Muñoz-Vega, E., Bockstiegel, M., Abdighahroudi, M. S., Ihle, K., Richard-Cerda, J. C., Bertold, C., Yin, M., Reusing, M., Lutze, H., Schüth, C., and Schulz, S.: Fate of emerging organic contaminants in the hyporheic zone of an anthropogenically impacted stream, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-19071, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-19071, 2025.
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are major contributors to the release of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), many of which pose significant risks to human health through both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic pathways. These chemicals, along with plastic-derived compounds, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), have emerged as critical environmental pollutants. Their widespread release through urban wastewater systems, combined with their hydrophilic nature and limited removal efficiency in conventional WWTPs, allows these pollutants to persist throughout the water cycle, often contaminating drinking water supplies. Despite increasing global awareness of the environmental and health risks associated with these contaminants, data on their occurrence, transport, and fate in Mexico's wastewater systems are still limited. To address this knowledge gap, the present study analyzed 54 VOCs in wastewater samples collected from 17 WWTPs across different provinces of Mexico. Among these, 38 VOCs were detected at significant levels, with the highest concentrations recorded for Toluene (21.39 µg/L), 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane (28.02 µg/L), followed by p-Isopropyltoluene (27.24 µg/L), and Trichloromethane (17.56 µg/L). Additionally, pesticides and related chemicals such as 2-Chlorotoluene, Naphthalene, 1,2-Dichlorobenzene, and n-Butylbenzene were prevalent, underscoring the extensive use of these compounds in agricultural practices. These chemicals not only bioaccumulate in soil but can also leach into groundwater systems, exacerbating contamination risks and increasing their persistence in the environment. Furthermore, many of the detected compounds, such as Toluene, its derivatives, and Trichloromethane, are known endocrine disruptors (EDCs) capable of causing hormonal imbalances, drug resistance, and reduced primary productivity in ecosystems. Their bioaccumulation in organisms and persistence in water further exacerbate their environmental impact, making them critical candidates for regulatory scrutiny. Therefore, this study underscores the urgent need for enhanced regulatory monitoring and management strategies targeting VOCs and EDCs in Mexico’s wastewater systems. By providing valuable insights into the prevalence and distribution of these hazardous pollutants, the findings highlight the importance of incorporating pesticides and PPCPs into comprehensive monitoring frameworks. Such efforts are essential for mitigating the environmental and health impacts of these contaminants and ensuring the sustainable management of water resources. The results also offer a foundation for developing targeted interventions aimed at reducing pollutant loads in wastewater and preventing their long-term accumulation in aquatic ecosystems.
How to cite: Gupta, P., Dogra, S., Dash, S., and Kumar, M.: Tracking Volatile Organic Compounds in Urban Wastewater Systems: A Critical Concern for Endocrine Disruptor Regulation, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-8456, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-8456, 2025.
Soil aquifer treatment (SAT) using secondary treated wastewater effluent (STWW) as infiltration feedwater is an increasingly discussed measure to mitigate groundwater level decline. It may also act as an additional treatment stage for the attenuation of emerging organic compounds (EOCs), e.g., pharmaceuticals and industrial agents, which STWW effluent still contains in varying amounts. Hence, understanding the behaviour of EOCs in SAT systems, both in the unsaturated and saturated zone, prior to implementation and operation, is of high importance. For that purpose, sand tank experiments are one possibility to study under controlled conditions the attenuation potential of natural and amended soils with e.g., permeable reactive layers.
Therefore, we designed and built novel large-scale sand tank experiments, consisting of three individual, L-shaped, tanks made from HDPE (Horovitz et al., 2024). All three tanks were packed with fine-medium quartz sand. The vertical part acts as unsaturated infiltration zone. The horizontal part consists of a saturated zone with continuously flowing groundwater in the lower part and an unsaturated zone above. The infiltration zone of two tanks were amended with one reactive layer each (biochar and compost, both mixed with the fine-medium quartz sand). The third tank acted as reference without reactive layer. Native groundwater from LNEC campus was used for continuously laterally flowing groundwater. The feedwater was a real STWW effluent from a Lisbon wastewater treatment plant. The groundwater flow rate was set to achieve a retention time of approx. one month for the STWW inside the tanks. In total, six infiltrations were performed over approx. eight months. Our setup allowed us to take samples both in the unsaturated and saturated zones. Additionally, the tanks are equipped with high-resolution oxidation-reduction potential sensors, both in vertical and horizontal direction, being an important parameter for the degradation of some EOCs.
Our results showed that for the tank setup, amended with a biochar layer, all 22 EOCs were fully attenuated, while for the tank containing a compost layer 14 EOCs (1,2,3-Benzatriazole, 4,5-Methyl Benzatriazole, Amisulpride, Atenolol, Carbamazepine, Cetirizine, Ciprofloxacin, Diclofenac, Hydrochlorothiazide, Iopromide, Irbesartan, Metoprolol, Sitagliptin, and Venlafaxine) were attenuated with varying percentage. In contrast, for the reference tank, only a decrease of eight EOCs (Amisulpride, Atenolol, Ciprofloxacin, Iopromide, Irbesartan, Metoprolol, Sitagliptin, and Venlaflaxine) could be observed.
Our results show that the implementation of tailored permeable reactive layers in SAT systems could substantially improve the quality of STWW during infiltration regarding EOCs, leading to a greater confidence in applying this technology.
References
Horovitz, M., Muñoz-Vega, E., Knöller, K., Leitão, T.E., Schüth, C., & Schulz, S., (2024). Infiltration of secondary treated wastewater into an oxic aquifer: Hydrochemical insights from a large-scale sand tank experiment. Water Research 267, 122542. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2024.122542
How to cite: Horovitz, M., Muñoz-Vega, E., Abdighahroudi, M. S., Leitão, T. E., Schüth, C., and Schulz, S.: Behaviour of 22 emerging organic compounds from secondary treated wastewater effluent in soil aquifer treatment – Assessing the attenuation potential of biochar and compost reactive layers in a large-scale sand tank experiment, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-20034, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-20034, 2025.
Posters on site: Thu, 1 May, 08:30–10:15 | Hall A
In the 1860s, humanity entered the electrical era, characterized by the widespread use of artificial light. This development created conditions for nighttime social and economic activities, significantly expanding the temporal and spatial range of human engagement and fostering the growth of a vibrant nighttime economy, which has become an important indicator of urban vitality in modern society. However, the rise of artificial lighting also increases risks to human health and the environment. Research highlights that blue light, a high-energy segment of the visible spectrum emitted by artificial light sources, is particularly concerning. Studies have linked blue light exposure to skin cancer, retinal damage, and increased melanin production, leading to various health complications. Although significant advancements in remote sensing technology support research on nighttime light, studies specifically examining human exposure to blue light are still limited. The main reason is the constraints of available multispectral nighttime light images. In this study, we leverage the latest open-source multispectral nighttime glimmer image obtained from the SDGSAT-1 to create a 40-meter resolution RGB nighttime light products for China. We then focus on extracting the blue light component and analyze its spatial characteristics in relation to human exposure. We uncover several key findings: 1) Overall, blue light exposure in China exhibits a dispersed distribution of high-value areas, with notable local concentrations. 2) In urban regions, new urban developing areas have higher blue light exposure compared to older areas, and commercial areas have higher exposure level than residential and industrial areas. 3) In China, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) stands out with exceptionally high blue light exposure relative to other metropolitan regions. This research enhances our understanding of the relationship between artificial light pollution and residents' living spaces. Furthermore, the findings provide valuable recommendations for urban planners and policymakers in developing protective measures and industry standards for nighttime light sources, ultimately contributing to sustainable urban development.
How to cite: Huang, Y. and Chen, B.: Nighttime Light Color Characteristics and Blue Light Exposure in China based on SDGSAT-1 Glimmer Image, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-5560, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-5560, 2025.
Accurate and comprehensively quantification of the dynamics of urban expansion is important for improving land use efficiency and sustainability in the context of rapidly urbanization in urban critical zones. However, existing studies still lack the understanding of the long-term dynamics of global urban expansion from both two-dimensional and three-dimensional expansions. In this study, we quantified the spatiotemporal dynamics of global urban expansion from 1990 to 2020, and used machine learning models and the SHAP method to explore the potential driving factors of urban expansion. The results show that the world as a whole has been expanding continuously over the past 30 years, with 5567 cities expanding to varying degrees, accounting for 74.3% of the total number of cities. Among them, the speed of urban expansion in South Asia is faster than that in other regions (2D UEI = 1.48, 3D UEI = 1.27). In addition, global urban expansion has shown an overall trend from a slow growth to a fast growth, and then a gradually decelerating growth. From the perspective of urban expansion type, the number of cities with vertical expansion is the largest, accounting for 32.8% of the total number of cities in the world, followed by cities with horizontal expansion and cities with unclear expansion. In addition, urban infrastructure construction and socioeconomic factors played important roles in urban expansion, among which population density can explain 55.1% of the variations of the two-dimensional urban expansion, and per capita urban building volume can explain 33.8% of the variations of the three-dimensional expansion. This study can provide a scientific basis for formulating urban planning according to local conditions and improving urban land use efficiency.
How to cite: Hou, Y., Huang, Q., Gu, T., and Zhu, G.: The spatiotemporal dynamics of global urban expansion: Evidence from 2D urban area and 3D urban building volume, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-5566, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-5566, 2025.
Urbanization and its diverse forms and patterns have become central to global research as the world shifts its focus toward building sustainable, resilient, and livable cities. As urban areas grow in size and population, unplanned development frequently leads to inefficient land use, unsustainable spatial transformations, environmental degradation, and inadequate urban services. Addressing these challenges is critical to global sustainability, particularly when viewed through the lens of the urban critical zone—a dynamic space where human activities and natural systems interact, influencing resource flows and urban resilience.
Delhi, the National Capital Territory of India, exemplifies these challenges and opportunities, making it an ideal case study for urbanization. As one of the world's fastest-growing metropolitan regions, it has undergone rapid demographic and spatial transformations, characterized by unique patterns of urban sprawl and rural-urban transitions. Understanding Delhi’s urban growth trajectory provides valuable insights into managing similar dynamics in other rapidly urbanizing regions.
This study examines the urban growth patterns of Delhi over the period 1990 to 2024 using satellite imagery and GIS to analyze spatial and temporal dynamics. The study adopts a multi-method approach to capture the complexities of urban growth. The three-growth mode hypothesis (infill, edge-expansion, and leapfrogging) is applied to identify and quantify distinct spatial dynamics of urbanization. Urban Field Intensity (UFI) analysis highlights areas experiencing maximum growth, while the Normalized Difference Expansion Index (NDEI) is used to assess sprawling or shrinking tendencies of the city over time. Future urban growth for the years 2030 and 2050 is projected using spatial simulation techniques, integrating historical growth trends, population dynamics, and land-use data to predict potential urban transformations. Additionally, field visits to critical zones—including rapidly transforming rural areas, infill-dominated regions, and outlying development zones—were conducted to validate spatial analyses and explore human-environment interactions. These combined approaches provide a comprehensive framework to evaluate urban growth and its implications for sustainability.
The results reveal that Delhi's urban growth is predominantly characterized by edge-expansion, with intermittent infill and leapfrogging patterns. Declining NDEI values across the study period indicate increased sprawl, posing sustainability challenges. UFI analysis highlights significant land transformation in rural areas, with specific zones experiencing up to a 60% increase in urban activity. The adjacent counter-magnet cities of Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad, and Gurugram significantly influence the region's urban dynamics. Field observations corroborate these findings, revealing acute infrastructure deficits in transition zones, particularly in water supply, transportation networks, and waste management. These insights underscore the urgency of targeted interventions to address sustainability challenges in Delhi’s sprawling urban regions.
This study underscores the need for region-specific strategies that harness sprawling tendencies to achieve sustainable urban growth. By advocating for the "make room" paradigm, it emphasizes urban planning approaches that integrate the interactions between human activities and critical biophysical processes to enhance resilience in rapidly growing urban areas.
Keywords: Urbanization, Urban sprawl, Sustainability, Urban critical zone, Spatial analysis
How to cite: Dutta, R. and Punia, M.: Exploring Urban Sprawl and Sustainability in the National Capital Territory of Delhi: Patterns, Challenges, and Projections, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-14911, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-14911, 2025.
Wastewater network management is being digitised and integrated across municipalities. A shared understanding and terminology of the systems is important both for modern urban water management and modelling climate-induced stressors on the network. Ontologies are a well-known mechanism to record the shared understanding. While several ontologies exist that focus on the water, and several exist on service infrastructure, there is a gap in the ontology landscape about wastewater services infrastructure.
We are currently developing an ontology about wastewater networks and a first version is publicly available at http://sewernet.hsm.umontpellier.fr/. Key aims for the use of the ontology in our project are data integration, ontology-based query answering the detect incoherent data in wastewater network databases, and document annotation, but, it being a domain ontology, SewerNet is usable also for other types of ontology-mediated information systems. In this talk, we focus on interesting discrepancies and lack of clarity in non-ontological resources we used for the development, such as the INSPIRE EU directive and the RAEPA geostandard, that needed to be harmonised in the ontology. Examples include pipe versus conduit, disambiguation between maintenance plans and individual repair actions, precision/uncertainty in the measurements, circulation mode. The use of a foundational ontology (DOLCE) to assist structuring content was perceived beneficial, as well as the ontological questions to align to the DOLCE entities, which helped probing the nature of the entity and elucidate assumptions about terms.
How to cite: Keet, C. M., Haydar, B., and Chahinian, N.: The SewerNet domain ontology: on clarifying and harmonising terminology, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-8662, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-8662, 2025.
With the growing focus on the concept of net-zero carbon reduction, the application performance of steel slag asphalt concrete has attracted increasing attention. However, numerous factors at construction sites influence construction quality, and steel slag, as a recycled material, often raises concerns about the stability of its construction quality. In this study, steel slag asphalt concrete (with a steel slag content of 39%) was evaluated on two experimental roads located on heavy traffic routes: Experimental Road A and Experimental Road B. Both roads are situated at similar distances from the asphalt mixing plant, allowing for an analysis of temperature changes and performance stability across different conditions. Experimental Road A’s length is 2,395 meters, while Experimental Road B’s length is 640 meters, with both roads surface layers having a pavement thickness of 5 cm. This study monitored temperature variations during the transportation and paving processes as well as road smoothness and rut depth over 18 months after opening to traffic. Results indicated that the average temperature drop during transportation was 14.6°C for Experimental Road A and 16.8°C for Experimental Road B, with an identical average paving temperature of 166.5°C for both. These findings suggest stable temperature control during transportation and paving. Performance analysis under heavy traffic over 18 months revealed that the standard deviation of pavement smoothness increased by 0.9 mm for both experimental roads. Meanwhile, the maximum rut depth increased by 5.5 mm for Experimental Road A and 5.4 mm for Experimental Road B. The results show that steel slag asphalt concrete exhibited excellent load-bearing capacity and stability across different experimental roads.
How to cite: Lin, D.-F., Wang, W.-J., and Chen, L. Y.: Evaluation of Temperature Stability and Pavement Performance of Steel Slag Asphalt Concrete Based on an Experimental Roadway, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-1174, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-1174, 2025.
The greening of cities has become a major component of current urban development policies. This greening is taking new and variable forms, and is increasingly associated with rainwater management techniques. This vegetated surfaces increase can potentially encourage evapotranspiration. Increasing this process has a twofold advantage. On the one hand, It provides stormwater runoff reduction benefits and, on the other, it promotes cooling in the urban environment. However, in order to better quantify and optimise evapotranspiration, it is necessary to be able to assess it for different kind of urban surfaces. In an urban environment, where surfaces are very heterogeneous, it is therefore necessary to have continuous measurements, over the long term (several seasons) and, if possible, on different types of surfaces with relatively small areas: just a few dozen m².
In order to document the capacity of urban vegetated surfaces to evapotranspire, a study carried out in 2022 and 2023 on a green roof, emblematic of urban greening solutions, tested the Eddy Covariance (EC), energy budget closure (EB) and a transpiration chamber (Ch) methods for measuring evapotranspiration on this type of surface and continuously estimated the evapotranspiration of this roof. Moreover, with the aim of eventually being able to compare the evapotranspiration of different urban vegetated surfaces, we also looked at the evaporative fraction in relation to water availability and net radiation.
The results show that EB method tends to overestimate evapotranspiration in relation to the Eddy Covariance, whereas Ch tends to underestimate it. The evaporative fraction of this green roof is generally quite low, averaging 0.2, but can exceed 0.5 on some days. This evaporative fraction is also highly variable over the measurement period.
This shows that for this type of vegetated surface, their capacity to use the energy available for evapotranspiration is generally quite low and not constant. While a higher water content favours high evaporative fractions, this is not always sufficient. Average net radiation of at least 300W.m-2 also seems necessary. If these conditions are met, there must also be other conditions favourable to evapotranspiration, not observed here, but linked to the physiology of the vegetation.
How to cite: Ramier, D. and Rodriguez, F.: Monitoring evapotranspiration on a green roof : feedback from two summer periods. , EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-17816, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-17816, 2025.
The variety of contaminants entering the environment is constantly expanding. Their amounts, properties, and behaviour are highly individual, including their ability or rate of degradation, affinity for sorbents, etc. Constructed wetlands represent nature-based solutions, which have proven to be efficient for wastewater treatment and elimination of some of the emerging micropollutants. However, the current systems are not designed for the removal of slowly degradable compounds. On the other hand, reactive surfaces of Fe-based or Mn-based sorbents can be favourable for sorption of persistent pollutants or enhanced degradation of more complex organic compounds. Therefore, the main idea of our research is to increase the retention and degradation potential of the constructed wetlands for the compounds of emerging concern using appropriate inorganic amendments. During the development, optimisation, and testing of a model wetland treatment system we focused on the reactive solid-water(-plant) interfaces using the column experimental scale, both planted and unplanted. Iron hydroxides or manganese oxides were applied as amendments. Experimental vertical flow constructed wetlands, saturated and unsaturated, were supplied with artificial domestic wastewater containing 31 organic micropollutants at concentrations of 10 or 50 µg/L. The results showed that under unsaturated conditions, constructed wetlands exhibited total organic micropollutant removal ranging from 93 to 95%. Under saturated conditions, the total removal was lower: 63%, 61%, and 77% for the variants with sand, Mn oxides, and Fe hydroxides, respectively. Compared to sand-based wetlands, Fe and Mn amendments significantly enhanced compound removal under saturated and unsaturated conditions. In addition to pollutant removal efficiency, solid phase transformations under the given conditions were investigated using X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy combined with elemental analyses. Overall, investigating the reactive interface of inorganic sorbents in constructed wetland conditions is essential for understanding the underlying mechanisms and optimising the amendment use for appropriate stimulation of abiotic and biotic processes.
How to cite: Vítková, M., Sochacki, A., Böserle Hudcová, B., Donoso, N., Kříženecká, S., and Vymazal, J.: Reactivity of inorganic sorbents in wetland conditions for organic micropollutant removal, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-19030, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-19030, 2025.
Ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is used primarily for its analgesic and antipyretic effects. Its widespread popularity is attributable to its convenient availability. High levels of use worldwide and ineffective wastewater treatment result in ibuprofen becoming present in surface waters. Within the environment, it demonstrates bioaccumulation properties, exerting negative impacts on the development and functioning of aquatic organisms. The present study evaluates the effects of ibuprofen on plants of the Lemna minor species, which are commonly found in freshwater and are a popular model organism in ecotoxicology due to their rapid response to environmental stress and high sensitivity to the presence of pollutants. As part of the research, an analysis was conducted of the effects of different concentrations of ibuprofen on key parameters such as: biomass, chlorophyll content and leaf area. The analysis of both the obtained data and the existing literature suggests that the effect of ibuprofen on Lemna minor might vary depending on the specific experimental condition, such as the concentration of the pharmaceutical or the duration of exposure. The results obtained in this research clearly indicate that high levels of ibuprofen in the aquatic environment have a significant toxic effect on Lemna minor. The observations included progressive necrosis and chlorosis of leaves, as well as a marked inhibition of biomass growth, which suggests a significant reduction in the plant's growth capacity.
How to cite: Kornacka, H., Sitarska, M., and Wolf-Baca, M.: The toxic effects of Ibuprofen on aquatic freshwater plants: case study. , EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-16803, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-16803, 2025.
Using freshwater and greywater for irrigation introduces pharmaceuticals (PhACs) into arable lands that lack organic matter replenishment, thus altering soil composition and affecting PhACs retention throughout the vegetation period. We conducted an incubation experiment representing a simulated vegetation period using Black Soil, which covers about 21% of the world's agricultural areas. We used PhACs with diverse physicochemical properties that cover a wide range of the characteristics typical of PhACs accumulating within the rhizosphere such as carbamazepine (CBZ), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), and diclofenac-sodium (DFC) and their metabolites (trans-10,11-Dihydro-10,11-dihydroxy carbamazepine (TCBZ), estrone (E1), estriol (E3), 17β-estradiol (BE2), 17α-estradiol (LE2), and 5-hydroxydiclofenac (5HODFC)). We performed separated fixed-bed experiments (15 columns) to determine the main sorption properties of PhACs at the beginning, middle and end of the simulated vegetation period. In parallel, we were monitoring the changes in soil organic matter (SOM), characterized by the indicator physicochemical parameters (e.g. soil organic carbon (SOC), the ratio of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to SOC and the composition of soil aliphatic and aromatic compounds). We also analysed the properties of the SMC (e.g. acidic phosphatase-, dehydrogenase enzyme activity, and the composition of the communities). Chemometric modelling has allowed us to visualize how the physicochemical properties of PhACs shape the sorption processes at different decomposition stages of SOM. With these data, we estimate how parent compounds and their metabolites are retained and released by the ever-changing organic matter medium, which might be used to simulate the temporal mobility of PhACs in agricultural systems, thereby aiding in the management of soil nutrient replenishment.
The enzyme activity showed that the microbial community was continuously transforming the soil organic carbon, leading to its decrease. During the incubation period, representing the early stages of the vegetation period, the hydrophobicity and van der Waals surface area of PhACs affected soil retention strength. By this period's end, the Hydrogen-bond donor/acceptor ratio shaped the sorption processes. The physicochemical property that dominates the adsorption clearly indicates the transformation of the available functional groups. We demonstrate the necessity of considering soil conditions over time rather than relying on a single observation, as it is inherently limited in its ability to represent the soil's actual state.
This research was supported by OTKA K142865, NKFIH 2020–1.1.2-PIACI-KFI-2021-00309; 2021–1.2.4-TÉT-2021-00029, HUSK_2302_1.2_070 INTERREG and DKOP-23_03.
How to cite: Szabó, L., Szalai, Z., Vancsik, A., Kondor, A. C., Dévény, Z., Gresina, F., Vajna, B., Maller, C., and Bauer, L.: Changes in the retention of pharmaceuticals by soil as an indicator of soil organic matter decomposition, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-8458, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-8458, 2025.
Treated wastewater and sewage sludge contain frequently persistent organic micropollutants (OMPs) that tend to accumulate during wastewater treatment. Long-term impacts of these pollutants on human health, plant productivity and ecosystem functioning are of concern, as they can accumulate and alter the soil-water-plant continuum. The introduction of OMPs during the early vegetation period alters the soil-colloid system's physicochemical properties, reshaping the availability and nature of adsorption sites. The joint mechanism of action (combined accumulation and interaction) of OMPs influence subsequent interactions between the soil and newly introduced contaminants, requiring later OMPs to establish different intermolecular reactions with the soil's organic and mineral phases. As a result, the soil's retention capacity and sorption dynamics evolve throughout the vegetation period, driven by the cumulative effects of prior contamination. Consequently, PhACs exhibits different transport, accumulation and bioaccumulation behaviour during the vegetation period, which is shaped by the changing contaminated and uncontaminated soil environment.
In this study, we investigated how contamination introduced at the start of a simulated vegetation period influences the retention capacity of Phaeozem and its effects on the sorption activity of pharmaceuticals (PhACs). Specifically, we investigated the impacts of ciprofloxacin (CPX), difenoconazole (DFZ), and PhACs such as (carbamazepine (CBZ), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), diclofenac sodium (DFC), trans-10,11-dihydro-10,11-dihydroxycarbamazepine (TCBZ), estrone (E1), estriol (E3), 17β-estradiol (17β-E2), 17α-estradiol (17α-E2), 5-hydroxydiclofenac (5-HODFC)) separately, as well as their combined effects, under different contamination scenarios. Fixed-bed experiments simulated vegetation period scenarios to evaluate changes in retention capacity, while chemometric modelling was used to analyse adsorption-desorption interactions. Our research additionally, tracked changes in soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics and enzymatic activities (phosphatases and dehydrogenases) indicative of microbial community functions throughout the vegetation period. According to the statistical modelling, OMPs significantly alter the quantity of SOM in the rhizosphere under different contamination scenarios, as well as its quality, including the ratio of aliphatic, aromatic, and phenolic lignin compounds. These changes represent a significant transformation in the adsorbent, reshaping the initial competitive groups of adsorbates (PhACs). Throughout the simulated vegetation period, shifts in the dominant physicochemical properties of the adsorbates drive dynamic changes in the sorption behaviour and bioavailability of PhACs. This research highlights the complex and scenario-dependent interactions between soil composition and contaminants, offering insights for predicting the environmental impacts of pharmaceutical pollution in agricultural systems.
This research was supported by OTKA K142865, NKFIH 2020–1.1.2-PIACI-KFI-2021-00309; 2021–1.2.4-TÉT-2021-00029, HUSK_2302_1.2_070 INTERREG and DKOP-23 _03.
How to cite: Bauer, L., Szalai, Z., Gresina, F., Vancsik, A., Kondor, A. C., and Szabó, L.: From pollution to prediction: Modelling contamination scenarios and their impact on the retention of pharmaceuticals dynamics in a Black Soil, EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-8688, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-8688, 2025.
