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An Analysis of BTEX Occurrence in Stored Rainwater and Rainwater Runoff in Urban Environment

Author

Listed:
  • Joanna Bąk

    (Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Cracow, Poland)

  • Andrzej Bielski

    (Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Cracow, Poland)

  • Sondre Meland

    (The Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), 0579 Oslo, Norway)

  • Katarzyna Pala

    (H 2 O SCITECH—Water Institute, 51-351 Wroclaw, Poland)

  • Anna Wassilkowska

    (Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Energy, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Cracow, Poland)

Abstract

Climate change and its effects, for instance drought, drive the search for alternative water sources. One of these sources is rainwater, especially the runoff from various roof surfaces in cities. In turn, its use in the city for the production of food as part of hydroponic and aquaponic systems requires knowledge of possible pollutants and their varied concentrations. In this article, the concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) in rainwater collected in cities from various surfaces and stored in various types of tanks (open and closed) are analysed. Tests were carried out on extracted specimens using gas chromatography with a flame ionisation detector (FID). BTEX compounds were determined using a chromatograph with a FID sensor and a capillary column. Organic substances were extracted from the water with dichloromethane. The possibility of occurrence of BTEX compounds in rainwater flowing down from various roof surfaces in the city was confirmed. The obtained results suggest future research directions for mitigating BTEX rainwater pollution in order to expand the scope of its subsequent use. Preliminary guidelines for its treatment based on the literature were proposed. The possibility of using urban rainwater for hydroponic and aquaponic systems was assessed in terms of BTEX content.

Suggested Citation

  • Joanna Bąk & Andrzej Bielski & Sondre Meland & Katarzyna Pala & Anna Wassilkowska, 2025. "An Analysis of BTEX Occurrence in Stored Rainwater and Rainwater Runoff in Urban Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-22, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1607-:d:1591882
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Grzegorz Pęczkowski & Katarzyna Szawernoga & Tomasz Kowalczyk & Wojciech Orzepowski & Ryszard Pokładek, 2020. "Runoff and Water Quality in the Aspect of Environmental Impact Assessment of Experimental Area of Green Roofs in Lower Silesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-15, June.
    2. Mehrnoosh Abtahi & Yadolah Fakhri & Gea Oliveri Conti & Margherita Ferrante & Mahmoud Taghavi & Javad Tavakoli & Ali Heshmati & Hassan Keramati & Bigard Moradi & Nazak Amanidaz & Amin Mousavi Khanegha, 2018. "The Concentration of BTEX in the Air of Tehran: A Systematic Review-Meta Analysis and Risk Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-16, August.
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