URBAN RUNOFF WATER: A SILENT THREAT TO AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
Rainwater, as it flows over urban surfaces (such as roads, rooftops, or recreational areas), carries with it numerous pollutants that have accumulated in these areas. If left untreated, these pollutants are discharged into aquatic ecosystems.
Meeting between CityPoll and NINFA projects
On April 9th, 2025, a meeting took place at ICRA between the teams of the CityPoll and NINFA projects, led by ICRA and LEITAT respectively.
New Study Published on the Impact of Urban Runoff on Freshwater Ecosystems
We are delighted to announce the publication of our new article: “Pollutants in urban runoff: Scientific evidence on toxicity and impacts on freshwater ecosystems” in the journal Chemosphere.
CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT! Urban runoff pollutants. Occurrence and impacts on freshwater ecosystems, and mitigation strategies
We are pleased to announce the conference “Urban runoff pollutants: Occurrence and impacts on freshwater ecosystems, and mitigation strategies”, which will be held on June 12 and 13, 2025, in Donostia-San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain, organized within the framework of the CityPoll project.
Isabel Cadena’s Poster Presentation at the 28th International Symposium on Separation Sciences (ISSS 2024) on Urban Runoff Pollutants
Postdoctoral researcher Isabel Cadena recently attended the 28th International Symposium on Separation Sciences (ISSS 2024), where she presented her latest findings on urban runoff and its impact on freshwater ecosystems, as part of the CityPoll Project.
You can now watch the full CityPoll Project Video!
We are pleased to announce that you can now access the full video explaining the CityPoll project! To make it easier for everyone to understand, we have made the video available in four languages: English, Spanish, Catalan, and Basque.
Neus Besolí Mestres from ICRA presented the experimental results for the CityPoll project at the XXII AIL Meeting
Urban runoff carries contaminants from roofs, roads, and soils into streams, affecting ecosystem biodiversity and functioning, particularly during rainfall and after dry periods. To examine these effects, urban first flush samples were collected during rainfall and tested on freshwater biofilms.
Julene Gonzalez presented the findings of the University of the Basque Country team’s research for the CityPoll project at the XXII AIL Meeting
Urban streams are exposed to pollution from stormwater runoff, which carries various pollutants like oils, heavy metals, and pet waste. What is more, prolonged dry periods and extreme weather events facilitate the mobilization of these pollutants.
Itxaso Martinez-Sanz presented the preliminary results of the University of Barcelona team’s research for the CityPoll project at the XXII AIL Meeting in Vigo 2024
Increasing urbanization has led to contaminants being washed into freshwater ecosystems through stormwater runoff. Additionally, prolonged dry periods and extreme weather events facilitate the mobilization of these pollutants.
Teknopolis: Rainwater is Not So Clean
In a recent episode of the EITB (Basque Public Television) program “Teknopolis,” an important topic was discussed regarding the quality of rainwater. Often considered a natural and pure source, rainwater carries a variety of contaminants and particles from exposed surfaces such as roads, roofs, and gutters, which flow directly into rivers, potentially impacting river ecosystems.
