Study reveals how seasons impact natural river clean-up

A study published in March 2024 has shown that the natural breakdown of pollution in rivers changes with the seasons, potentially altering how long contaminants remain in the environment.

The research, led by PhD student Run Tian and colleagues from the Department of Environmental Science, was published in Environmental Science & Technology and offers new insights into the so-called biodegradation process - a natural way bacteria and other organisms break down contaminants.

Biodegradation plays a crucial role in cleaning up organic contaminants over time. However, the speed of this process can vary due to seasonal shifts, as PhD student and lead author of the study Run Tian points out:"Seasonal variations in biodegradation rates need to be considered when assessing how long chemicals might persist in the environment.”

A more comprehensive approach is needed

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has recommended conducting laboratory simulations at a temperature of 12°C to estimate biodegradation rates in rivers and using a formula known as the Arrhenius equation to predict how this rate might change at different temperatures. But the new research shows that biodegradation in rivers doesn’t always follow this expected pattern. It fluctuates with the seasons and isn’t as closely tied to temperature as previously thought.

”The results of this study could improve how regulators assess chemical persistence, helping to create more accurate and effective pollution management strategies” points out Tian.
This research is part of a larger project aimed at better understanding how pollutants are broken down naturally in the environment. Funded by the Swedish Research Council, the project is led by Professor Michael McLachlan and Assistant Professor Malte Posselt from the Department of Environmental Science, along with Professor Kathrin Fenner from the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Eawag.

Read the full study in Environmental Science & Technology:

Influence of Season on Biodegradation Rates in Rivers

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Last updated: October 8, 2024

Source: Department of Environmental Science

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