Identifying pathways of exposure to highway pollutants in great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) road mitigation tunnels: Exposure pathways of highway pollutants to Triturus cristatus

White, Katie J.; Mayes, William M.; Petrovan, Silviu O.

Abstract

Road mitigation tunnels are increasingly deployed for amphibians but very little is known about chemical pollution in such schemes. We assessed pollution pressures associated with road runoff at a major great crested newt mitigation scheme in England. Sediments and waters in the mitigation system were analysed for major physico-chemical parameters, trace metals and total petroleum hydrocarbons and compared to a nearby reference site. Seven out of eight tested metals including copper, zinc, lead and iron were in significantly greater concentrations in the tunnels than at a reference site and at environmentally significant concentrations. Water samples also exhibited elevated concentrations of aluminium and chromium and occasionally extreme alkaline pH associated with leaching of portlandite in tunnel cements. High conductivity values in waters and sediments corresponding with seasonal de-icing salt application were also apparent. The study highlights the potential pollutant pressures for amphibians associated with large-scale urban development and road mitigation schemes.

Citation

White, K. J., Mayes, W. M., & Petrovan, S. O. (2017). Identifying pathways of exposure to highway pollutants in great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) road mitigation tunnels: Exposure pathways of highway pollutants to Triturus cristatus. Water and environment journal : the journal / the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, 31(3), 310-316. https://doi.org/10.1111/wej.12244

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 7, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Mar 23, 2017
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Deposit Date: Mar 29, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 23, 2018
• Journal: Water and environment journal
• Print ISSN: 1747-6585
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 310-316
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/wej.12244
• Keywords: Environmental engineering; Pollution; Management; Monitoring; Policy and law; Water science and technology
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/450053
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/wej.12244/abstract
• Additional Information: This is the accepted manuscript of an article published in Water and environment journal, 2017. The version of record is available at the DOI link in this record.
• Contract Date: Mar 23, 2018