Mass fluxes of xenobiotics below cities: challenges in urban hydrogeology

Urban areas are the focus of major ecological, social and economical activity. They are thus also prime locations of increasing conflict with regard to water use and water protection. As a direct and/or indirect consequence of urban land use and human activity, urban water systems are frequently pol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental earth sciences 2011-10, Vol.64 (3), p.607-617
Main Authors: Schirmer, Mario, Reinstorf, Frido, Leschik, Sebastian, Musolff, Andreas, Krieg, Ronald, Strauch, Gerhard, Molson, John W., Martienssen, Marion, Schirmer, Kristin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biogeosciences
Chemical wastewater
Consumer products
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics
Environmental Science and Engineering
Exact sciences and technology
Geochemistry
Geology
Groundwater pollution
Hydrogeology
Hydrology. Hydrogeology
Hydrology/Water Resources
Land use
Mineralogy
Organic contaminants
Original Article
Pollution, environment geology
Pumping tests
Sewer systems
Silicates
Terrestrial Pollution
Urban areas
Urban watersheds
Water geochemistry
Water pollution
Water protection
Water supply
Water use
Xenobiotics
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Summary:Urban areas are the focus of major ecological, social and economical activity. They are thus also prime locations of increasing conflict with regard to water use and water protection. As a direct and/or indirect consequence of urban land use and human activity, urban water systems are frequently polluted with organic contaminants including waste water-born xenobiotics such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products (collectively known as PPCPs) and endocrine-active substances. This study reviews new integrated methodologies including flux calculations as well as chemical investigations for determining the impact of human activities on urban water systems and on processes within the urban watershed. The use of indicator substances, representing different contaminant sources and pathways, integral pumping tests and mass balance approaches are suitable alternatives within these environments. The issues are explored using contaminant mass balance examples from Halle/Saale and Leipzig, Germany.
ISSN:1866-6280
1866-6299
DOI:10.1007/s12665-010-0880-0