Extreme weather events and environmental contamination under climate change: A comparative review of ten European coastal cities

Abstract

Climate change intensifies extreme weather events. Their impacts on environmental contamination are investigated in ten European coastal cities, spanning diverse climatic regions: Sligo (Ireland), Dublin (Ireland), Vilanova (Spain), Benidorm (Spain), Oarsoaldea (Spain), Massa (Italy), Oeiras (Portugal), Piran (Slovenia), Gdansk (Poland) and Samsun (Turkey). Rising sea levels and storm surges, heavy precipitation and flooding, and other climate hazards exacerbate the mobilization of contaminants from natural and anthropogenic sources (agricultural runoff, industrial discharges and urban effluents). By examining the interactions between extreme weather events and contaminant pathways, this study highlights heightened risks to public health, ecosystems and water quality. Case studies demonstrate the compound effects of flooding, coastal erosion and droughts on contamination dynamics: untreated wastewater overflow, release of sediments and landfill contaminants, elevated pollutant concentrations, saltwater intrusion and algal blooms. Mitigation and adaptation strategies are discussed, including monitoring and early warning systems, sustainable urban drainage infrastructure, nature-based solutions and policy frameworks.