Comparison of the pollutant potential of two Portuguese highways located in different climatic regions

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.