Toxicological effects of building surface runoff on three aquatic species from different trophic levels

Exterior building materials contribute to stormwater runoff pollution but knowledge of how ecological impacts may vary between different types of building materials remains limited. This study combined chemical analyses of runoff from seven different building surface materials with toxicological response analyses as a contribution to addressing this knowledge gap. Results indicate a range of inorganic (e.g. copper, zinc) and organic substances (e.g. diisononyl phthalate, DINP, and nonylphenol) are mobilised by runoff, with concentrations varying between differing materials and rain events by up to three orders of magnitude. Toxicological analysis involving algae, daphnids and fish embryos, indicated that acute and chronic effects also varied between building materials and events, as well as species. For example, copper sheet runoff (maximum concentration 2900 µg/L) exhibited the strongest acute toxic effect on all three test organisms (≥80 % effect irrespective of event and species). Chronic reproductive effects were reported for Daphnia magna on exposure to PVC and bitumen felt roof runoff. Results show that runoff from several building surface materials commonly found in urban areas can cause acute and chronic effects on aquatic organisms. Findings could support users to identify environmentally sustainable building materials as a contribution to reducing pollution emissions from cities to receiving waters.