Abstract: Biocides used in paints and renders prevent algae and fungi growth but can wash off during wind-driven rain and enter urban environments. Retention ponds represent part of stormwater management that retain water and partly pollutants. However, it is poorly understood which percentage of biocides leached from facades reaches a pond and how efficiently biocides are retained inside ponds although biocides can have harmful environmental effects. Here, we combined measurements and modeling to address diffuse biocide loss and a pond's retention capacity in a delimited residential area of 3 ha, with detached houses connected to an ephemeral retention pond. Six stormwater events were sampled within 2 years and confirmed biocidal residuals at pond inflow. Model results revealed that during the sampled events only 11% of terbutryn leachate arrived at the pond while the major part of this biocide was diffusely lost in the residential area. Measured low terbutryn concentrations in the sediment (mean 2.6 ng g−1) confirmed this result. Model results suggested that approximately 50% of terbutryn reaching the pond were retained and degraded. Our results are site-specific but suggest that biocide retention in ponds is limited, environmental entry pathways are diverse and that biocide use should be limited at its source

The general objective of the study is to assist the Commission with the development of a strategic approach to pharmaceuticals in the environment, by identifying uncertainties, helping to fill knowledge gaps and providing details and documentation regarding options that could address the issue. The options were assessed with regard to their feasibility (including political feasibility, i.e. acceptability and support of the different categories of stakeholders), efficiency, effectiveness and coherence with other policy developments.

Abstract: Pesticides may impact aquatic ecosystems when entering water bodies. Measures for mitigation against pesticide inputs include vegetated treatment systems (VTSs). Some of these systems have very short hydraulic retention time (

Abstract: Des biocides ont été trouvés à différents endroits dans une zone urbaine de Fribourg. Même après plus de dix ans, des lessivages de biocides ont lieu. Les travaux de réparation des façades en sont une des raisons

Abstract: Les flavonoïdes ne présentent pas les propriétés nécessaires pour remplacer rapidement les biocides conventionnels. Les connaissances acquises contribuent toutefois à une recherche plus ciblée de substances naturelles appropriées