Arable soils are a significant source of nitric oxide (NO), a precursor of tropospheric ozone, and thereby contribute to ozone pollution. However, their actual impact on ozone formation is strongly related to their spatial and temporal emission patterns, which warrant high-resolution estimates. Here, we combined an agro-ecosystem model and geo-referenced databases to map these sources over the 12 000 km2 administrative region surrounding Paris, France, with a kilometric level resolution. The six most frequent arable crop species were simulated, with emission rates ranging from 1.4 kg N–NO ha-1 yr-1 to 11.1 kg N–NO ha-1 yr-1. The overall emission factor for fertilizer-derived NO emissions was 1.7%, while background emissions contributed half of the total NO efflux. Emissions were strongly seasonal, being highest in spring due to fertilizer inputs. They were mostly sensitive to soil type, crops' growing season and fertilizer N rates. The use of an agro-ecosystem model at regional scale makes it possible to map the emissions of nitric oxide from arable soils at a resolution compatible with tropospheric ozone models.

International audience | An inter-laboratory comparison exercise was organized among European laboratories, under the aegis of EU COST Action 636: "Xenobiotics in Urban Water Cycle" The objective was to evaluate the performance of testing laboratories determining "Endocrine Disrupting Compounds" (EDC) in various aqueous matrices. As the main task three steroid estrogens. 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol, 17 beta-estradiol and estrone were determined in four spiked aqueous matrices' tap water, river water and wastewater treatment plant influent and effluent using GC-MS and LC-MS/MS Results were compared and discussed according to the analytical techniques applied, the accuracy and reproducibility of the analytical methods and the nature of the sample matrices. Overall, the results obtained in this inter-laboratory exercise reveal a high level of competence among the participating laboratories for the detection of steroid estrogens in water samples indicating that GC-MS as well as LC-MS/MS can equally be employed for the analysis of natural and synthetic hormones.

[Departement_IRSTEA]Eaux [TR1_IRSTEA]ARCEAU | The purpose of this work is to assess the effectiveness of two grass covers (buffer zone and grass-covered inter-row), to reduce pesticide leaching, and subsequently to preserve groundwater quality. Lower amounts of pesticides leached through grass-cover soil columns (2.7e24.3% of the initial amount) than the bare soil columns (8.0e55.1%), in correspondence with their sorption coefficients. Diuron was recovered in higher amounts in leachates (8.9e32.2%) than tebuconazole (2.7e12.9%), in agreement with their sorption coefficients. However, despite having a sorption coefficient similar to that of diuron, more procymidone was recovered in the leachates (10.2e55.1%), probably due to its facilitated transport by dissolved organic matter. Thus even in this very permeable soil, higher organic matter contents associated with grass-cover reduce the amount of pesticide leaching and limit the risk of groundwater contamination by the pesticides. The results of diuron and tebuconazole transfer through undisturbed buffer zone soil columns are in agreement with field observations on the buffer zone.

This paper relates to the 1st studies conducted in France on Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands [VFCWs]. This process was originally designed by Käte Seidel according to her previous research done in Krefeld (Germany) the so-called Max Planck Institute Process [MPIP]. Based on measurements campaigns done successively in Saint Bohaire and Pont-Rémy, it was clearly established that the vertical flow 1st stage filters were significantly more efficient than the horizontal ones. This acknowledgement of success was positively used to design a treatment plant in Gensac la Pallue, still in operation after 23 years, with the special feature that the VFCW are fed with raw sewage. This attribute was then spread to the design of French VFCW systems. The main reasons which explain why representatives of small communities are so enthusiastic about feeding with raw sewage are presented. The state of the art of French VFCWs is detailed and scientific arguments which nowadays lead to new fields of application and a better understanding of small scale processes which occurs in these filters are also suggested.

Phosphorus (P) removal in constructed wetlands (CWs) has received particular attention during the last decades by using specific materials which promote P adsorption/precipitation phenomena. Recent studies have shown an interest in using apatite materials to promote P precipitation onto their surface. About ten years of experiments at different scales (laboratory, pilot, full scale) have passed. The process is now open in France. This paper presents the first design recommendations according to the apatite mineral quality and treatment outlet requirements. Kinetics and their evolution with the material saturation degree are presented based on the k-C* model. The process can achieve 1 mgP.l-1 for long term while using surface P removal filter area of 0.5 m².p.e.-1. With a low land footprint and high P removal efficiency, the interest of the process also result in the orthophosphates accumulation on a phosphate mineral which makes easier to reuse phosphorus from wastewater once saturated.

[Departement_IRSTEA]Ecotechnologies [TR1_IRSTEA]TED [Axe_IRSTEA]TED-EPURE | International audience | With decentralized treatment system development, a new concern emerges: the future of the septage. The aim of this paper is to assess the feasibility of septage treatment by SDRB, and to compare its efficiencies to those of activated sludge treatment in same conditions. The study took place on ten 2m² pilot-scales SDRB. Different designs and operation conditions have been tested on sludge treatment efficiency and will be presented as: (i) the top filtration layer (sand or compost), (ii) the load (from 30 to 50 kgSS/m-2/y). After one year and half commissioning period, we focus on the results obtained at nominal loads presenting: sludge characteristic, filtration efficiency, percolate quality and sludge deposit behaviour. Although results show better filtration efficiency for activated sludge (98.4%) than for septage (87.5%), the feasibility of septage treatment with drying reed bed has been demonstrated. Sludge accumulation is about 7.9 cm/y, when fed at 50 kgSS/m-2/y, and dry matter content of the sludge can reach 70% in summer period. The paper will present sludge characteristics, system efficiency, to finish on design and operation condition recommendations for SDRB treating septage.

This paper presents the main results of a study on the influence of driving style on fuel consumption and pollutant emissions of diesel passenger car in urban traffic. Driving styles (eco, normal or aggressive) patterns were based on the “eco-driving” criteria. The methodology is based on on-board emission measurements in real urban traffic in the city of Madrid. Five diesel passenger cars, have been tested. Through a statistical analysis, a Dynamic Performance Index was defined for diesel passenger cars. Likewise, the CO, NOX and HC emissions were compared for each driving style for the tested vehicles. Eco-driving reduces by 14% fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, but aggressive driving increase consumption by 40%. Aggressive driving increases NOX emission by more than 40%. CO and HC, show different trends, but being increased in eco-driving style.