EU Wide Monitoring Survey of Polar Persistent Pollutants in European River Waters

This study provides the first EU-wide reconnaissance of the occurrence of polar organic persistent pollutants in European river waters. 122 individual water samples from over 100 European rivers, streams or similar water bodies from 27 European Countries were analysed for 35 selected compounds, comprising pharmaceuticals (e.g. carbamazepine, diclofenac), antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole), pesticides (e.g. 2,4-D, mecoprop, bentazone, terbutylazine), perfluorinated compounds PFCs (PFOS, PFOA), benzotriazoles (corrosion inhibitors), hormones (estrone, estradiol), and alkylphenolics (bisphenol A, nonylphenol). Only the dissolved (liquid) water phase, and not the suspend material was investigated. Around 40 laboratories actively participated in this sampling and monitoring exercise organised by the Joint Research Centre¿s Institute for Environment and Sustainability (JRC-IES) of the European Commission (EC) in autumn 2007. The selection of sampling sites was done by the participating EU Member States. The most frequently and at the highest concentration levels detected compounds were benzotriazole, caffeine, carbamazepine, tolyltriazole, and nonylphenoxy acetic acid (NPE1C). Other important substances identified were naproxen, bezafibrate, ibuprofen, gemfibrozil, PFOS, PFOA, sulfamethoxazole, isoproturon, diuron, and nonylphenol. The highest median concentrations of all samples were measured for benzotriazole (226 ng/L), caffeine (72 ng/L), carbamazepine (75 ng/L), tolyltriazole (140 ng/L), and NPE1C (233 ng/L). Relatively high perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) levels were detected in the Rivers Danube, Scheldt, Rhone, and Wyre, and ¿elevated¿ perfluorooctansulfonate (PFOS) concentrations in the Rivers Scheldt, Seine, Krka, Severn, Rhine, and Llobregat. A higher median concentration for all river samples was found for PFOS (6 ng/L), compared to PFOA (3 ng/L). Only about 10 % of the river water samples analysed could be classified as ¿very clean¿ in terms of chemical pollution, since they contained only a few compounds in very low concentrations. The most pristine water samples came from Estonia, Lithuania, and Sweden. For the target compounds chosen, we are proposing limit values in surface waters which are not based on eco-toxicological considerations; these warning levels are (for most compounds) close to the 90th percentile of all water samples analysed. A first EU-wide data set has been created on the occurrence of polar persistent pollutants in river surface waters to be used for continental scale risk assessment and related decision support.JRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

A Water Reference for Europe

The harmonization of environmental policies in the European Union regarding the protection of water supplies is, since 2002, focusing on the so-called Water Framework Directive (WFD). This directive states as one of its goals the ambition to enhance the exchange of geographic data describing the location of objects relevant for the monitoring of water quantity and quality. This chapter will focus on the creation of this common European Water Data Reference System in which geographic data ranging from fresh water bodies like small ponds to tidal areas along thecoast are to be shared between the member states committed to this directive.JRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

EU-Wide Survey of Polar Organic Persistent Pollutants in European River Waters

This study provides the first EU-wide reconnaissance of the occurrence of polar organic persistent pollutants in European river waters. More than 100 individual water samples from over 100 European rivers or streams from 27 European Countries were analysed for 35 selected compounds, comprising pharmaceuticals (e.g. carbamazepine, diclofenac), antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole), pesticides (e.g. 2,4-D, mecoprop, bentazone, terbutylazine), perfluorinated acids PFAs (PFOS, PFOA), benzotriazoles (corrosion inhibitors), hormones (estrone, estradiol), and alkylphenolics (bisphenol A, nonylphenol). Around 40 laboratories actively participated in this unique sampling exercise organised by the European Commission¿s Joint Research Centre (JRC). The selection of sampling sites was performed by the participating EU Member States. The most frequently and at the highest concentration levels detected compounds were benzotriazole, caffeine, carbamazepine, tolyltriazole, and nonylphenoxy acetic acid (NPE1C). Only about 10 % of the river water samples analysed could be classified as ¿very clean¿ in terms of chemical pollution, since they contained only a few compounds in very low concentrations. Strong indications on the rivers responsible for the major aqueous emissions of the persistent chemicals perfluorooctansulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) from the European Continent could be found. For the target compounds chosen, we are proposing guidance values in surface waters, which are not based on eco-toxicological consideration; these warning levels are (for most compounds) close to the 90th percentile of all water samples analysed. Further environmental monitoring data are needed as sound basis to evaluate the state of the environment, continental scale risk assessment and related decision support.JRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

Developing a pan-European Data Base of Drainage Newtorks and Catchment Boundaries from a 100 Meter DEM

Digital data on river networks, lakes and drainage basins (catchments) are an important pre-requisite for modelling hydrological processes, including the analysis of pressures and their impact on water resources. Datasets covering extensive areas such as the European continent are especially important for mapping and monitoring activities of European institutions. Unfortunately such data have not been available up to now with sufficient coverage, quality and detail to satisfy such needs. Especially international river basins face the problem of the diversity of national information systems in terms of detail, scale, and projection systems, leading to incompatibilities at the national boundaries. In order to fill this gap, the Catchment Characterisation and Modelling (CCM) activity of the European Commissions’ DG Joint Research Centre has developed methodologies to derive adequate layers from digital elevation data and ancillary information using advanced algorithms based on the concepts of mathematical morphology and implementing a landscape stratification for drainage density. This paper details the methodology implemented in developing this pan-European database of hierarchically structured river networks and catchment boundaries. The resulting database covers the entire pan-European continent from the Atlantic to the Urals and from the Mediterranean to northern Scandinavia, including the Atlantic islands and Turkey. The use of homogeneous input data and their analysis with the same methodology ensures data with comparable and well documented characteristics (e.g., level of detail, geometric quality, attributes) over the entire area.JRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

A pan-European River and Catchment Database

Digital data on river networks, lakes and drainage basins (catchments) are an important pre-requisite for modelling hydrological processes, including the analysis of pressures and their impact on water resources. Datasets covering extensive areas such as the European continent are especially important for mapping and monitoring activities of European institutions. The European Water Framework Directive, for example, explicitly asks for the setup of Geographical Information Systems including detailed layers of water bodies (rivers, lakes, wetlands) and their drainage basins, while the European Environment Agency (EEA) requires adequate river and catchment data for monitoring the status and trends of water resources over the entire pan-European continent. The Catchment Characterisation and Modelling (CCM) activity of the European Commissions¿ Joint Research Centre has developed advanced methodologies to derive adequate layers from digital elevation data and ancillary information. Drainage density has been modelled through a landscape typology and lakes have been considered during river mapping. Finally, the database was enriched with a set of attributes describing important characteristics of catchments and river segments. The resulting database covers the entire pan-European continent from the Atlantic to the Urals and from the Mediterranean to northern Scandinavia, including the Atlantic islands and Turkey. The use of homogeneous input data and their analysis with the same methodology ensures data with comparable and well documented characteristics (e.g., level of detail, geometric quality, attributes) over the entire area. This report details the background for developing this database, describes the methodology implemented, and discusses the strengths and limitations of the approach. It is intended to inform decision makers, scientists and technicians involved in water-related issues about the main characteristics of this product as well as on its potential for different applications.JRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource