The complex spatio-temporal dynamics of organic micropollutants in tidal rivers

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

This study addresses a significant gap in environmental research by investigating the complex dynamics of organic micropollutants (OMPs) in tidal rivers. Tidal rivers, such as the Thames, Seine, and Elbe, present unique challenges for pollutant monitoring due to the interplay of ebb and flood dynamics, which complicate the observation of pollutant behavior compared to unidirectional rivers or stagnant waters. To achieve this, high-frequency sampling was conducted over multiple days at two locations during two different seasons (summer and winter), combined with HPLC-HRMS analysis. Focusing on the Tidal Elbe River in Hamburg, Germany, our research employed statistical analysis to reveal three distinct OMP concentration patterns. The first pattern, marked by recurring tidal-related concentration peaks of plant protection agents like propamocarb and azoxystrobin, indicates localized, transient contamination likely stemming from nearby agricultural activities. The second pattern, characterized by stable concentrations of pharmaceuticals such as carbamazepine, lidocaine, and metformin, suggests continuous inputs from wastewater treatment plants and indicates these analytes’ environmental persistence. The third pattern demonstrates the rapid environmental degradation of the pharmaceutical metabolite 4-aminoantipyrine, with concentrations showing significant spatial, daily, and seasonal variability. These findings emphasize the role of tidal influences in pollutant distribution and illustrate the complexity of capturing transient contamination events in tidal rivers. The study provides a foundation for the future prioritization and identification of unknown contaminants through non-target analysis, while advocating for advanced monitoring strategies to improve water quality management and mitigate the risks OMPs pose to aquatic ecosystems and human health in tidal river systems.

Original languageEnglish
Article number144180
JournalChemosphere
Volume373
Number of pages10
ISSN0045-6535
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.03.2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Authors

    Research areas

  • High-frequency sampling, HPLC-HRMS, Hydrodynamics, Organic micropollutants, Statistical analysis, Tidal river
  • Chemistry

Recently viewed

Researchers

  1. Felix Lösing

Activities

  1. Strategies in Communicating the Change Vision: How Power Distance-Orientation Maderates Recipients'Reactions towards Change Communication Strategies
  2. ‘The contemporary significance of Luther's doctrine of the Eucharist’, lecture given by Martin Wendte, University of Tübingen
  3. How Can We Measure Party Institutionalisation in Times of Personal Politics? A New Index and the Case of the Italian 5SM
  4. Materialexplosion und Avantgardeanspruch
  5. Annual IPSA-NUS Summer School for Social Science Research Methods
  6. Americas Conference on Information Systems - AMCIS 2017
  7. Ringvorlesung "Maple Leaf & Stars and Stripes" WiSe 2013/2014
  8. 8th GESIS Summer School in Survey Methodology - 2013
  9. Zukunftstage Lehrerbildung - 2015
  10. Implementing sustainability related key competencies into teacher education - Learning processes and outcomes
  11. WSI-Mitteilungen (Zeitschrift)
  12. Werkstattgespräch
  13. The court's mandate in climate protection
  14. Expertenhearing Praxissemester - 2013
  15. Utopie-Konferenz 2018
  16. European Academy of Management - EURAM 2014
  17. The Concarnation of the Holy Spirit and the Incarnation of the Son: An Account of Divine Activity inspired by Thomas Erskine of Linlathen
  18. Career Paths and Turnover of Regional Presidents in Italy: A Comparative Longitudinal Analysis
  19. Ausgewählte qualitative Zugänge
  20. International Association for Media and Communication Research - IAMCR 2012
  21. 28. Jahrestagung der GDSU 2019
  22. 4th Annual International Conference on Positive Aging - 2010
  23. Jahrbücher für Nationalökonomie und Statistik (Zeitschrift)
  24. Gastvorlesung: "European Constitutional Law after Brexit" an der University of St. Andrews
  25. 4th International Conference on Health Promotion in Schools
  26. 72nd Annual Meeting of the Academy of Managment - AOM 2012
  27. General Online Research Conference 2010
  28. MEPs on the Web - different from national MPs or just the same? Socialisation and the new digital media in the European Parliament
  29. Fakultät Management und Technologie (Organisation)