Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.watres.2007.05.014
Title (Primary) Sources and transport of selected organic micropollutants in urban groundwater underlying the city of Halle (Saale), Germany
Author Osenbrück, K.; Gläser, H.-R.; Knöller, K.; Weise, S.M.; Möder, M.; Wennrich, R.; Schirmer, M.; Reinstorf, F.; Busch, W.; Strauch, G.
Source Titel Water Research
Year 2007
Department ANA; HDG; ISOHYD; CATHYD
Volume 41
Issue 15
Page From 3259
Page To 3270
Language englisch
Keywords urban groundwater; pharmaceuticals; personal care products; endocrine disruptors; stable isotopes; sewer exfiltration
Abstract In this study, we used isotopic (d18O, d2H, d34S-SO4) and chemical tracers (boron) to assess the sources and transport processes of the micropollutants carbamazepine, galaxolide, and bisphenol A in groundwater underlying the city of Halle (Saale), Germany. Their ubiquitous presence in urban groundwater results from a combination of local river water infiltration, sewer exfiltration, and urban stormwater recharge. Attenuation during transport with infiltrating river water increased from carbamazepine (0-60%) to galaxolide (60-80%) in accordance with their increasing sorption affinity and decreasing recalcitrance against biodegradation. Distinctly higher attenuation during transport was found for carbamazepine (85-100%) and galaxolide (95-100%) if micropollutants originated from sewer exfiltration. Most likely, this is related to higher contents of organic matter and higher transit times of the respective flow paths. Although attenuation undoubtedly also affects the transport of bisphenol A, quantification is limited due to additional contributions from the urban stormwater recharge. As a consequence, micropollutant loads in groundwater indicate that groundwater discharge may dominate the export of bisphenol A from urban areas.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=2137
Osenbrück, K., Gläser, H.-R., Knöller, K., Weise, S.M., Möder, M., Wennrich, R., Schirmer, M., Reinstorf, F., Busch, W., Strauch, G. (2007):
Sources and transport of selected organic micropollutants in urban groundwater underlying the city of Halle (Saale), Germany
Water Res. 41 (15), 3259 - 3270 10.1016/j.watres.2007.05.014