Abstract:
The accomplishment of the Water Framework Directive requires a good
understanding of the impacts of the different pollution sources. In the
framework of G-Terra study, two Portuguese highways located in different
climatic regions from Portugal have been monitored. The role of climatic
variables in controlling the presence of 6 selected pollutants in the roads
runoff was evaluated. The results showed the relevance of the rain depth
and the antecedent dry period in the discharge of higher concentrations of
pollutants. Highways located in more arid areas, are more likely to produce
acute impacts. The Total Suspended Solids and the Chemical Oxygen Demand
appear to be important target pollutants to be controlled in Portugal.
