Pollutant concentrations and fluxes in both stormwater and wastewater at the outlet of two urban watersheds in Nantes (France)

Abstract

A two-year study of pollutants in both the stormwater and wastewater of urban watersheds has been conducted in Nantes (France). The present paper discusses the characteristics of pollutants transported by stormwater and wastewater collection networks in two urban watersheds. A physicochemical characterisation of the effluents was performed, along with an estimation of pollutant fluxes discharged into the Gohards River. Suspended solids (SS), trace metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides were studied. SS, Zn, Cu and glyphosate were the main pollutants in stormwater and wastewater. In the watersheds examined, the pyrolitic origin of PAHs (mainly from traffic) was determined through ratios, with fluoranthene and pyrene being predominant. Despite a reduction in the use of pesticides in Nantes Metropolitan area, herbicides containing glyphosate were still detected in stormwater. It should be noted that this herbicide is widely used by homeowners, a fact that may explain its occurrence in stormwater.

Keywords:

• PAHs
• pesticides
• pollution
• stormwater
• trace metals
• urban watershed
• wastewater

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank France’s Loire Valley Region for its financial support of this research.