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Cited by 78Urban Stormwater Management SolutionsPharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental ImpactsWater Quality and Pollution Assessment

Micropollutants in Urban Stormwater Runoff of Different Land Uses

Open access
Wicke, Daniel, Matzinger, Andreas, Sonnenberg, Hauke, Caradot, Nicolas, Schubert, Rabea-Luisa, Dick, Robert, Heinzmann, Bernd, Dünnbier, Uwe +2 more·2021·Water
DOI 10.3390/w13091312
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Abstract

The main aim of this study was a survey of micropollutants in stormwater runoff of Berlin (Germany) and its dependence on land-use types. In a one-year monitoring program, event mean concentrations were measured for a set of 106 parameters, including 85 organic micropollutants (e.g., flame retardants, phthalates, pesticides/biocides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)), heavy metals and standard parameters. Monitoring points were selected in five catchments of different urban land-use types, and at one urban river. We detected 77 of the 106 parameters at least once in stormwater runoff of the investigated catchment types. On average, stormwater runoff contained a mix of 24 µg L−1 organic micropollutants and 1.3 mg L−1 heavy metals. For organic micropollutants, concentrations were highest in all catchments for the plasticizer diisodecyl phthalate. Concentrations of all but five parameters showed significant differences among the five land-use types. While major roads were the dominant source of traffic-related substances such as PAH, each of the other land-use types showed the highest concentrations for some substances (e.g., flame retardants in commercial area, pesticides in catchment dominated by one family homes). Comparison with environmental quality standards (EQS) for surface waters shows that 13 micropollutants in stormwater runoff and 8 micropollutants in the receiving river exceeded German quality standards for receiving surface waters during storm events, highlighting the relevance of stormwater inputs for urban surface waters.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This one-year Berlin monitoring study measured event mean concentrations of 106 micropollutants in stormwater runoff from five urban land-use types and in one receiving urban river. It found widespread micropollutant mixtures, land-use-specific concentration patterns, and exceedances of surface-water quality standards for 13 compounds in runoff and 8 in the river during storm events.

Key findings

  • Of 106 parameters, 77 were detected at least once in stormwater runoff; average runoff contained a mix of 24 ± 2.6 µg L⁻¹ organic micropollutants and 1.3 mg L⁻¹ heavy metals.
  • Concentrations differed significantly among the five land-use types for all but five parameters; major roads dominated traffic-related substances such as PAH, while other land uses had highest concentrations for some substances (e.g., flame retardants in commercial areas, pesticides in one-family-home catchments).
  • 13 micropollutants in stormwater runoff and 8 micropollutants in the receiving river exceeded German quality standards for receiving surface waters during storm events.
  • Heavy metals were dominated by zinc (overall mean 954 µg L⁻¹; max 10,000 µg L⁻¹), copper (253 µg L⁻¹; max 5,300 µg L⁻¹), and lead (68 µg L⁻¹; max 780 µg L⁻¹).

Methods

  • One-year monitoring program (May 2014–June 2015) in five Berlin catchments representing old building areas (OLD), new building areas (NEW), one-family houses (OFH), commercial areas (COM), and large streets (STR), plus one urban river station on the Panke.
  • Stormwater runoff was sampled using fixed time interval and variable sampling volume proportional to runoff volume (method 3); 143 volume-proportional composite samples were collected, of which 93 were analyzed for the complete set of chemical parameters.
  • Samples were analyzed for 106 parameters including standard parameters, organic micropollutants, and heavy metals; statistical differences among land-use types were tested with Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests.

Limitations

  • Stated: comparing stormwater concentrations directly to EQS neglects dilution with river water and other point sources; EQS are developed for long exposure times, and it remains unclear how short, high concentration peaks during storm events should be assessed.
  • Stated: stormwater runoff contains a mixture of >50 micropollutants, and mixture effects could amplify or reduce impacts of single compounds; the authors state it is impossible to make a final judgment on the relevance of stormwater pollution for urban surface-water ecology.
  • Stated: no extreme rainfall (>20 mm) occurred during the sampling period; for some organic micropollutants such as TBP, 2-phenylphenol, or 4-tert-butylphenol, dominant sources are unclear and concentration patterns could not be explained by known land-use differences.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3390/w13091312

Cites

36 of 36 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

2 of 31 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Findingown data

    Biocides of interest (average concentrations >0.05 μg L-1) found in this study include mecoprop, carbendazim, diuron, glyphosate, AMPA, terbutryn and terbuthylazin.

    “Generally, biocides of interest (average concentrations >0.05 µg L -1 ) that were found in this study include mecoprop, carbendazim, diuron, glyphosate, AMPA, terbutryn and terbuthylazin.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Only for PCB, PBDE, organotin compounds, MTBE and four biocides/pesticides (imidacloprid, thiacloprid, simazine, dichlorbenzamide [DCBA]) all analyzed samples were below the respective LOQ.

    “Only for PCB, PBDE, organotin compounds, MTBE and four biocides/pesticides (imidacloprid, thiacloprid, simazine, dichlorbenzamide [DCBA]) all analyzed samples were below the respective LOQ (see Supplementary Table S1 for LOQs).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    For 6 parameters of organic micropollutants (DIDP + DINP, DEHP, TBEP, sum of the 16 PAH, caffeine and nicotine), average concentrations >1 μg L-1 were determined over all samples and land-use types.

    “For 6 parameters of organic micropollutants, the phthalates DIDP + DINP and DEHP, the flame-retardant TBEP, the sum of the 16 PAH and the stimulants caffeine and nicotine, average concentrations >1 µg L -1 were determined over all the samples and land-use types (see Table 4).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingnone given

    STR stands out with significantly higher values for a number of heavy metals (Ni, Cr, Ti, V).

    “Similarly, STR stands out with significantly higher values for a number of heavy metals (Ni, Cr, Ti, V).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In Berlin, each year 70% or 48 million m3 of stormwater is discharged mostly untreated into Berlin's surface waters via the separated sewer system.

    “For example, in Berlin (Germany) each year 70% or 48 million m 3 of stormwater is discharged mostly untreated into Berlin's surface waters via the separated sewer system (own estimate based on urban drainage data).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 35
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 10

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Most PAH compounds reported in the US study by Masoner et al. were clearly above the 97.5% quantile of the concentrations in this study, probably due to higher traffic volumes in the US.

    “In contrast, most PAH compounds reported in the US study by Masoner et al.[9] were clearly above the 97.5% quantile of the concentrations in this study, probably due to higher traffic volumes in the US.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [9] Masoner, 2019, Urban Stormwater: An Overlooked Pathway of Extensive Mixed Contaminants to Surface and Groundwaters in the United States, Environ. Sci. Tech. source

      The Results and Discussion section (Organic Chemical Mixtures in Urban Stormwater Runoff; page unavailable) reports high concentrations for several PAHs in US stormwater samples. Masoner et al. do not compare those concentrations with the citing study’s 97.5% quantile or establish that higher US traffic volumes explain the difference; those are the citing authors’ comparison and proposed explanation. (LLM, conf=0.83)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Some studies indicated that a mixture of micropollutants could either amplify or reduce the impact of single compounds.

    “Some studies indicated that such a mixture could either amplify or reduce the impact of single compounds [44].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [44] Carvalho, 2014, Mixtures of chemical pollutants at European legislation safety concentrations: How safe are they?, Toxicol. Sci. source

      The Discussion reports combined toxicity and describes mechanisms that can potentiate the toxicity of other chemicals. It also says a difference between estimated and experimental estrogenic activity may reflect a mixture antagonistic effect, but says this requires further investigation. Thus the paper supports possible amplification and reduction of expected effects, not an established finding that mixtures reduce the impact of single compounds. (LLM, conf=0.83)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In stormwater runoff, zinc, nickel and copper compounds were present to a high extent in dissolved form (Zn: 48%, Ni: 44%, Cu: 33%), whereas lead and titanium showed a predominant particulate fraction >85%.

    “Results indicated that especially zinc, nickel and copper compounds were present to a high extent in dissolved form in stormwater runoff (Zn: 48%, Ni: 44% and Cu: 33%), whereas lead and titanium showed a predominant particulate fraction > 85%.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Zn was significantly higher in OLD and COM than STR, which in turn was significantly higher than NEW and OFH.

    “Surprisingly, Zn was significantly higher in OLD and COM than STR, which in turn was significantly higher than NEW and OFH.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    68 substances were also detected in wet weather grab samples from the Panke river.

    “68 substances were also detected in wet weather grab samples from the Panke river.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    On average, wet weather concentrations exceeded dry weather concentrations by a factor of 7 for standard parameters and 15 for heavy metals.

    “On average, wet weather concentrations exceeded those during dry weather by a factor of 7 and 15, for standard parameters and heavy metals, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Concentrations of organic micropollutants were highest for phthalates, dominated by diisodecyl + diisononyl phthalate (DIDP + DINP), with an average concentration for all samples of 12 ± 2.1 μg L-1.

    “As shown in Figure 3, concentrations of organic micropollutants were highest for phthalates, dominated by diisodecyl + diisononyl phthalate (DIDP + DINP, technical mixture of phthalates replacing DEHP) with an average concentration for all samples of 12 ± 2.1 µg L -1 .”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Overall, STR was the dominant land use for 22 out of 48 parameters in Table 4, including 14 PAH.

    “Overall, STR was the dominant land use for 22 out of 48 parameters in Table 4.However, this included 14 PAH.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    PAH concentrations in this study (mean of ∑PAH16: 1.7 μg L -1) were dominated by fluoranthene and pyrene with maximum concentrations of 3.2 and 2.9 μg L -1, respectively.

    “PAH concentrations in this study (mean of ∑PAH16: 1.7 µg L -1 ) were dominated by fluoranthene and pyrene with maximum concentrations of 3.2 and 2.9 µg L -1 , respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For zinc and copper, dissolved fractions were 48% and 33%, respectively, resulting in maximum dissolved concentrations of 3000 μg L -1 and 150 μg L -1.

    “For zinc and copper, dissolved fractions were 48% and 33%, respectively, resulting in maximum dissolved concentrations of 3000 µg L -1 and 150 µg L -1”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    We detected 54 organic micropollutants in the Panke river, including all substances which were found in >30% of stormwater runoff samples in Table 3.

    “We detected 54 organic micropollutants also in the Panke river, including all substances which were found in >30% of stormwater runoff samples in Table 3.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    DEHP was detected at significantly lower concentrations than in the US by Pitt et al. and in France by Zgheib et al.

    “The phthalate DEHP was detected at significantly lower concentrations than in the US by Pitt et al. (2004), as well as in France by Zgheib et al. [7].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Zgheib et al. [7] Zgheib, 2012, Priority pollutants in urban stormwater: Part 1—Case of separate storm sewers, Water Res. source

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Traffic estimates found the highest traffic volumes in STR, followed by COM, the two inner city land uses OLD and NEW, down to lowest traffic volumes in OFH.

    “Since smaller roads are not covered by the official traffic counts we did traffic estimates by following official counting protocols and found the highest traffic volumes in STR, followed by COM (due to deliveries and store costumers), the two inner city land uses OLD and NEW down to lowest traffic volumes in OFH.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Traffic counts showed even higher correlations for phthalates DINP + DIDP (R2 of 0.89) and DEHP (R2 of 0.98).

    “Surprisingly, traffic counts showed even higher correlations for phthalates DINP + DIDP (R 2 of 0.89) and DEHP (R 2 of 0.98).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Maximum detected dissolved copper EMC of 150 μg L -1 (dissolved fraction: 33%) is more than 60-fold higher than the EQS of 2.4 μg L -1 proposed by the German EPA, but only occurs for a few hours.

    “For instance, maximum detected dissolved copper EMC of 150 µg L -1 (dissolved fraction: 33%) is more than 60-fold higher than the EQS of 2.4 µg L -1 proposed by the German EPA, but only occurs for a few hours.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [43] Wenzel, A., Schlich, K., Shemotyuk, L., and Nendza, M. (2021, May 07). Revision der Umweltqualitätsnormen der Bundes-Oberflächengewässerverordnung nach Ende der Übergangsfrist für Richtlinie 2006/11/EG und Fortschreibung der europäischen Umweltqualitätsziele für prioritäre Stoffe, Texte 47/2015, Available online: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/publikationen/revision-der-umweltqualitaetsnormen-der-bundes.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    All PAH compounds reported in the French study by Zgheib et al. are well within the 95%-bounds of this study, with the exception of naphthalene, which was found at 20-fold higher concentrations in Parisian stormwater.

    “All PAH compounds reported in the French study by Zgheib et al.[7] are well within the 95%-bounds of this study, with the exception of naphthalene, which was found at 20-fold higher concentrations in Parisian stormwater.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [7] Zgheib, 2012, Priority pollutants in urban stormwater: Part 1—Case of separate storm sewers, Water Res. source

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Stormwater runoff does not contain single substances but a mix of more than 50 micropollutants with a total concentration of about 24 μg L -1 for organic micropollutants and about 1.3 mg L -1 for heavy metals.

    “Another important aspect is the fact that stormwater runoff does not contain single substances but a mix of >50 micropollutants with a total concentration of ~24 µg L -1 for organic micropollutants and of ~1.3 mg L -1 for heavy metals.”
    • Also stated in: § • · plain
      “The average stormwater runoff contained a mix of >50 micropollutants with a total concentration in the order of 10 µg L -1 for organic micropollutants and of 1 mg L -1 for heavy metals.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    PAH concentrations in this study (mean of ∑PAH16: 1.7 μg L-1) were dominated by fluoranthene and pyrene with maximum concentrations of 3.2 and 2.9 μg L-1, respectively.

    “PAH concentrations in this study (mean of ∑PAH16: 1.7 µg L -1 ) were dominated by fluoranthene and pyrene with maximum concentrations of 3.2 and 2.9 µg L -1 , respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    54 organic micropollutants were detected in the Panke river, including all substances found in more than 30% of stormwater runoff samples in Table 3.

    “We detected 54 organic micropollutants also in the Panke river, including all substances which were found in >30% of stormwater runoff samples in Table 3.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The benzo[a]pyrene/benzo[ghi]perylene ratio resulted in average values of 1.6 for STR and 1.2-1.4 for all other land-use types.

    “(e.g., benzo[a]pyrene/benzo[ghi]perylene-ratio to distinguish between traffic (>0.6) and non-traffic (<0.6) emissions resulted in average values of 1.6 for STR and 1.2-1.4 for all other land-use types).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Fluoranthene maximum concentrations in stormwater runoff of 3.2 μg L -1 are more than 25-fold higher than the MAC EQS (0.12 μg L -1) as set in the European Water Framework Directive and more than 500-fold higher compared to the annual average (AA) EQS (0.0063 μg L -1).

    “An example for organic micropollutants is fluoranthene with maximum concentrations in stormwater runoff of 3.2 µg L -1 , which is more than 25-fold higher than the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) EQS (0.12 µg L -1 ) as set in the European Water Framework Directive and more than 500-fold higher compared to the annual average (AA) EQS (0.0063 µg L -1 ).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Organophosphates TCPP and TBEP were highest in the commercial area, followed by the other densely built-up land use types NEW and OLD.

    “As a consequence, they were highest in the commercial area, potentially due to more extensive application of insulation materials to the larger industrial buildings, ware houses and large retail stores, followed by the other densely built-up land use types NEW and OLD.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    On average, about one third of all rain events at each monitoring site was sampled and analyzed in the laboratory (24-41%).

    “On average, about one third of all rain events at each monitoring site was sampled and analyzed in the laboratory (24-41%).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Several authors recommend a strategy of variable sampling volume methods 2 or 3 with mixing of the composite sample in the laboratory.

    “Several authors recommend a strategy of variable sampling volume-methods 2 or 3 [30]-with the mixing of the composite sample in the laboratory [29,33,34].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [30] Ort, 2006, Sampling for representative micropollutant loads in sewer systems, Water Sci. Tech. source
    • cites [29] Rossi, L. (1998). Qualité des eaux de ruissellement urbaines, EPFL. source
    • cites [33] Becouze, C. (2010). Caractérisation et estimation des flux de substances prioritaires dans les rejets urbains par temps de pluie sur deux bassins versants expérimentaux, INSA.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [34] Dembélé, A. (2010). MES, DCO et polluants prioritaires des rejets urbains de temps de plui: Mesure et modélisation des flux événementiels, INSA. source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Sandoval et al. estimated the uncertainties of different sampling strategies and confirmed that method 3 delivers the most accurate estimation of EMC, independently of the selected sampling interval or the size of the catchment.

    “The results confirm that method 3 delivers the most accurate estimation of EMC, independently of the selected sampling interval or the size of the catchment.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Sandoval et al. [35] Sandoval, 2018, Performance and uncertainties of TSS stormwater sampling strategies from online time series, Water Sci. Tech. source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The systematic error increases when the sampling frequency decreases but remains below 20% for time intervals of less than 30 min.

    “The systematic error increases when the sampling frequency decreases but remains below 20% for time intervals of less than 30 min.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [32] Shelley, P.E. (1977). Sampling of Water and Wastwater.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Sampled events cover a wide range of rain events with local event frequencies between 20 and 1 yr-1, although no extreme rainfall (>20 mm) occurred during the sampling period.

    “Sampled events cover a wide range of rain events with local event frequencies between 20 and 1 yr -1 , although no extreme rainfall (>20 mm) occurred during the sampling period.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The error of method 1 is systematic and cannot be reduced by increasing the sampling frequency.

    “The error is systematic and cannot be reduced by increasing the sampling frequency [31].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [31] Rossi, 2011, Samplinghelper a web-based tool to assess the reliability of sampling strategies in sewers and receiving waters, Water Sci. Tech. source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Concentrations were found to be higher in stormwater catchments with high traffic volumes for PAH by Gasperi et al. and for some heavy metals and standard parameters by Järveläinen et al.

    “Indeed, concentrations were found to be higher in stormwater catchments with high traffic volumes for PAH by Gasperi et al. [6] and for some heavy metals and standard parameters by Järveläinen et al. [27].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Gasperi et al. [6] Gasperi, 2014, Micropollutants in urban stormwater: Occurrence, concentrations, and atmospheric contributions for a wide range of contaminants in three French catchments, Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. source
    • cites Järveläinen et al. [27]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Biocides from building materials can lead to higher loads than agricultural pesticide runoff for a Swiss peri-urban catchment.

    “Wittmer et al. [24] who showed that biocides from building materials can lead to higher loads than agricultural pesticide runoff for a Swiss peri-urban catchment.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Wittmer et al. [24] Wittmer, 2010, Significance of urban and agricultural land use for biocide and pesticide dynamics in surface waters, Water Res. source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Shelley demonstrated that major errors can be expected by estimating EMCs using method 1 and that the other methods provide similar accuracy, with a trend to underestimate the real EMC.

    “Shelley [32] demonstrated that major errors can be expected by estimating EMCs using method 1 and that the other methods provide similar accuracy, with a trend to underestimate the real EMC.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Shelley [32] Shelley, P.E. (1977). Sampling of Water and Wastwater.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Blank results of tap water cycled five times through one of the applied automatic samplers indicated no particular contamination from sampling devices and/or sample pre-treatment procedure for most pollutants monitored; a low contamination by phthalates was detected but values were below or at limit of quantification and far less than levels found in stormwater.

    “Blank results of tap water cycled five times through one of the applied automatic samplers indicated no particular contamination from sampling devices and/or sample pre-treatment procedure for most pollutants monitored.A low contamination by phthalates could, however, be detected, but values were below or at limit of quantification and far less than levels found in stormwater.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    During 13 months of monitoring, a total of 143 volume-proportional composite samples were taken at all monitoring sites.

    “During 13 months of monitoring (May 2014 to June 2015), a total of 143 volume-proportional composite samples were taken at all monitoring sites (OLD: 36, NEW: 31, OFH: 18, COM: 40, STR: 18), covering a total rain depth of 135”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Isoproturon is mostly found in OFH, probably from use in private gardens by individual home owners.

    “Consequently, isoproturon is mostly found in OFH, probably from use in private gardens by individual home owners.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Whether toxicity thresholds are violated in receiving rivers depends on the mixing ratio between storm water runoff and stream flow.

    “However, whether toxicity thresholds are violated in receiving rivers depends on the mixing ratio between storm water runoff and stream flow.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Different regional use patterns could possibly explain the observation of higher isoproturon and AMPA concentrations.

    “Again, different regional use patterns could possibly explain the observation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Concentrations of most compounds in river samples taken during storm events are about one order of magnitude higher than at dry weather conditions, strongly suggesting that stormwater runoff is responsible for concentration peaks of these and many other substances during storm events.

    “As shown in Figure 5, concentrations of most compounds in river samples taken during storm events are about one order of magnitude higher compared to concentrations at dry weather conditions, strongly suggesting that stormwater runoff is responsible for concentration peaks of these and many of the other substances during storm events.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Since both mecoprop and diuron are primarily used for algal/plant control on building materials, the difference may be due to regional use patterns of French and German roof/paint suppliers.

    “Since both biocides are primarily used for algal/plant control on building materials, the difference may be due to regional use patterns of French and German roof/paint suppliers.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Results show that stormwater runoff from very different urban land uses contains a large mix of substances, some of which are known to have detrimental effects on aquatic organisms.

    “However, results show that stormwater runoff from very different urban land uses contains a large mix of substances, some of which are known to have detrimental effects on aquatic organisms.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Comparing stormwater concentrations directly to EQS neglects dilution with river water as well as other point sources of pollution.

    “Comparing the stormwater concentrations directly to EQS neglects dilution with river water as well as other (point) sources of pollution.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    For a number of organic micropollutants in Table 4, such as TBP, 2-Phenylphenol or 4-tert-butylphenol, dominant sources are unclear and concentration patterns cannot be explained by known land-use differences.

    “However, for a number of organic micropollutants in Table 4, such as TBP, 2-Phenylphenol or 4-tert-butylphenol, (dominant) sources are unclear and therefore concentration patterns cannot be explained by known land-use differences”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    PNEC values from literature indicated high relevance from nicotine because PNEC values were exceeded both in stormwater runoff and in surface water of the Panke river during rain events.

    “but high relevance from nicotine as PNEC values were exceeded both in stormwater runoff as well as in surface water of the Panke river during rain events.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: PNEC values from the literature are valid for assessing the potential relevance of TBEP and nicotine to aquatic organisms.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Sewage-based tracer substances and benzotriazoles are present in the river due to minor upstream inlets of WWTP effluents and are consequently diluted by storm water.

    “Exceptions are sewage-based tracer substances and benzotriazoles, which are present in the river due to minor upstream inlets of WWTP effluents and consequently are diluted by storm water.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
43 of 43

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    For most micropollutants, the availability of measurement data in receiving rivers during stormwater influence is not sufficient to evaluate their ecotoxicological relevance.

    “However, for most micropollutants the availability of measurement data in receiving rivers during stormwater influence is not sufficient to evaluate their ecotoxicological relevance.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Concentration data of trace organics in stormwater runoff are generally sparse and for many substances there are no datasets for catchments of different land uses.

    “Moreover, concentration data of trace organics in stormwater runoff are generally sparse and for many substances there are no datasets for catchments of different land uses.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Differences in the selected land-use types (e.g., traffic density, roof area and type, building materials) will result in different concentration patterns of micropollutants in stormwater runoff.

    “The selection was based on the assumption that differences in the selected land-use types (e.g., traffic density, roof area and type, building materials) will result in different concentration patterns of micropollutants in stormwater runoff.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The five selected urban land-use types represent the main city structure types of Berlin and other large European cities.

    “Based on geographic information system (GIS) data of the Berlin Senate, five different urban land-use types were defined that represent the main city structure types of Berlin and other large European cities as summarized in Table 1.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    PNEC values from the literature are valid for assessing the potential relevance of TBEP and nicotine to aquatic organisms.

    “PNEC (predicted no effect concentration) values from literature could be compared, which indicated potentially low relevance for aquatic organisms from TBEP but high relevance from nicotine as PNEC values were exceeded both in stormwater runoff as well as in surface water of the Panke river during rain events.”
5 of 5

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Wicke et al. (2021) showed commercial areas having the highest concentrations of flame-retardants.

    “Opposite results were found by Wicke et al. (2021), who showed commercial areas having the highest concentrations of flame-retardants.”

    From Review of trace organic chemicals in urban stormwater: Concentrations, distributions, risks, and drivers (2024) · cites this paper as Wicke et al. (2021)

    Section 3.2.2 (page unavailable) places the flame retardant TBEP among the highest concentrations in both commercial (COM) and new residential (NEW) catchments. It also reports that another flame retardant, TBP, was highest in NEW, so the claim overgeneralizes the finding to flame retardants as a group. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Commercial areas contribute to elevated concentrations of flame retardants.

    “Wicke et al. (2021) found that commercial areas contribute to elevated concentrations of flame retardants.”

    From Review of trace organic chemicals in urban stormwater: Concentrations, distributions, risks, and drivers (2024) · cites this paper as Wicke et al., 2021

  • Tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP) had the highest concentration (40 μg/L) among organophosphate flame retardants, as reported in Wicke et al. (2021).

    “There are also many organophosphate flame retardants frequently detected in stormwater runoff (Burant et al., 2018;Fairbairn et al., 2018), with the highest concentration detected for Tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP) -a maximum concentration of 40 μg/L reported in Wicke et al. (2021).”

    From Review of trace organic chemicals in urban stormwater: Concentrations, distributions, risks, and drivers (2024) · cites this paper as Wicke et al., 2021

  • Traffic volumes correlate with concentrations of PAHs and phthalates.

    “Specifically, for TrOCs, traffic volumes were often found to correlate with concentrations of PAHs (Gasperi et al., 2014;Gunawardena et al., 2018;Wicke et al., 2021), and phthalates (Wicke et al., 2021).”

    From Review of trace organic chemicals in urban stormwater: Concentrations, distributions, risks, and drivers (2024) · cites this paper as Wicke et al., 2021

  • Mecoprop and diuron exhibited higher concentrations in residential blocks with 4-6 storeys old buildings, classified as high-density in this study.

    “Mecoprop (commonly used in roof materials) and diuron (typical additives to exterior paints) exhibited higher concentrations in residential blocks with 4-6 storeys old buildings (classified as high-density in this study)”

    From Review of trace organic chemicals in urban stormwater: Concentrations, distributions, risks, and drivers (2024) · cites this paper as Wicke et al. (2021)

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Reported per-catchment sample count exceeds samples collected

    Minor

    The statistical-analysis section gives a per-catchment sample-count range reaching 41, but the sampling section reports no more than 40 collected samples at any catchment.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

2 of the 38 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Burkhardt, 2009, Biocides in building facades—Ecotoxicological effects, leaching and environmental risk assessment for surface waters, Umweltwissenschaften und Schadstoff-Forschung, 21, 36
  2. Fuchs, S., Brombach, H., and Weiss, G. (2004, January 6–10). New database on urban runoff pollution. Proceedings of the Novatech Conference, Lyon, France.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Wicke, D., Matzinger, A., Sonnenberg, H., Caradot, N., Schubert, R.-L., Dick, R., Heinzmann, B., Dünnbier, U., von Seggern, D., & Rouault, P.
Affiliations
  • Berlin Centre of Competence for Water (DE)
  • Berliner Wasserbetriebe (Germany) (DE)
  • Senate Department for the Environment, Transport and Climate Protection, Brückenstraße 6, 10179 Berlin, Germany
Corresponding author
Wicke, Daniel
ORCID
Venue
Water
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2021-05-07
Volume
13
Issue
9
Pages
1312
ISSN
2073-4441 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/w13091312
OpenAlex
W3159793050
Semantic Scholar
79dee4081f29f82d89cfbbcc8bb90c8e08f31331
Cited by
78
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 2
FWCI
3.99
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Water (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Berlin Environmental Relief Programme II (11409 UEPII/2)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Urban Stormwater Management Solutions
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Water Quality and Pollution Assessment
Keywords
micropollutants, urban stormwater runoff, land use, heavy metals, organic micropollutants, flame retardants, phthalates, diisodecyl phthalate, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, biocides, traffic-related pollutants, urban rivers, environmental quality standards, Berlin

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-15.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-15.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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