A comparison of emerging contaminant fingerprinting techniques to assess the impact of human wastewater on karst groundwater quality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luka Vucinic ◽  
David O'Connell ◽  
Donata Dubber ◽  
Patrice Behan ◽  
Quentin Crowley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Karst Aquifer ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Effluent ◽  
Chemical Pollution ◽  
Karst Aquifers ◽  
Karst Springs ◽  
Aquifer Systems ◽  
Pollution Impacts ◽  
The Impact

<p>Lowland karst aquifers in Ireland are extremely complex to understand and are considered to be highly vulnerable to pollution (e.g. low-lying karst catchments exhibit a lot of surface water – groundwater interactions which makes them very susceptible to direct contamination). These aquifers are impacted by multiple contamination sources on land (in particular, rural sources from agriculture and on-site domestic wastewater effluent) which makes their protection and management challenging. Human wastewater effluent is identified as significant threat to groundwater quality in such lowland Irish karst environments, since approximately one-third of the population in Ireland is relying on decentralized wastewater treatment systems for the treatment of domestic wastewater. However, it is difficult to distinguish between human wastewater effluent and agricultural pollution impacts on karst aquifers using only traditional water quality parameters or any single environmental tracing method. Hence, the impact of microbial and chemical contaminants of human wastewater origin on groundwater quality must be assessed using a multiple-tracer approach, ideally targeting source-specific tracers. This paper presents an overview of the results obtained during the research conducted throughout the last several years at nine karst catchments in Ireland using a range of methodologies in order to determine and quantify domestic wastewater pollution impacts on karst springs. Microbial pollution was assessed using flow cytometric fingerprinting and faecal indicator bacteria, while chemical pollution impact assessment included the analysis of fluorescent whitening compounds (FWCs; well-known indicators of human contamination since their origin is mostly from laundry detergents), specific anion ratio signatures (Cl/Br), quantification and identification of microplastic particles using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and faecal sterol and stanol profiles and ratios. A thorough analysis of the results obtained using a multiple-tracer approach has been conducted and methodologies have been evaluated in terms of applicability and sensitivity in a range of different karst catchments. The ability of these methodologies and techniques to determine and quantify human faecal pollution impacts on karst springs will be discussed. The results show a significant correlation between microplastic particle counts and detected FWCs signals at different springs, which helps to understand the contribution of household-derived contaminants to this environmental problem. Moreover, our results indicate that faecal sterols and stanols can be useful faecal source tracking method in karst aquifer systems despite the fact that concentrations of sterols and stanols of interest were usually low which makes the interpretation of results challenging.</p>

scholarly journals The impact of on-site wastewater effluent on rural karstified aquifers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luka Vucinic ◽  
David O'Connell ◽  
Donata Dubber ◽  
Patrice Behan ◽  
Quentin Crowley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Effluent ◽  
Ratio Method ◽  
Karst Groundwater ◽  
Karst Aquifers ◽  
Karst Springs ◽  
Aquifer Systems ◽  
The Impact

<p>Karst aquifers are exceptionally vulnerable to pollution and may be impacted by multiple contamination sources. In rural and suburban areas, human wastewater effluent from on-site domestic wastewater treatment systems (DWTSs) and agricultural sources are the most significant threats to groundwater quality. It has been estimated that around 2.8 billion people worldwide rely on DWTSs for treating domestic wastewater. As karst groundwater is a major source of drinking water for at least one-quarter of the world’s population it makes protection and management of karst aquifers extremely important. These aquifer systems are highly complex and challenging to understand, especially with regards to the fate and transport of contaminants through such systems. Thus, significant knowledge gaps exist with respect to linking contaminants with the origins of pollution and quantifying different pollution impacts on groundwater quality in karst environments.</p><p>In this paper, a novel approach for investigation of the impact of contaminants from DWTS effluent on rural karstified aquifers using a range of source-specific tracers is proposed, as it is extremely difficult to distinguish between agricultural and DWTS effluent pollution using only traditional water quality parameters or any single environmental marker. Domestic wastewater is primarily discharged from toilets, washing machines, showers and dishwashers, but even after on-site wastewater treatment processes a large number of different contaminants, including source-specific ones, can still reach the groundwater and wider environment. One example are microplastic particles which are found with other solid materials in the wastewater effluent principally due to household washing and cleaning processes. Investigations of microplastic occurrences in groundwater systems are very rare but several karst springs in the west of Ireland have been sampled during this study for quantification and identification of microplastic particles using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Many of these particles were successfully linked to human wastewater on the basis of their physical and chemical properties and/or adsorbed/absorbed pollutants. The overall numbers of microplastics and numbers of household-derived microplastic particles were linked to other well-known indicators of human contamination such as fluorescent whitening compounds (FWCs) and specific anion ratio signatures (Cl:Br). Our results show a significant correlation between microplastics and detected FWC signals at different karst springs over time, which suggests the majority of found microplastic particles to be from DWTS effluent. Notably, certain limitations were found and furthermore understood in terms of the capability of Cl:Br ratio method in determining human wastewater impacts on karst groundwater. Additionally, we have found that faecal sterol and stanol concentrations, as source-specific faecal markers, and their ratios can very successfully differentiate and quantify DWTS effluent pollution and agricultural faecal contamination at karst springs due to rapid and extensive transport of these contaminants particularly through the karst conduit networks. </p>

THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC WASTEWATER EFFLUENT ON KARST AQUIFERS

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luka Vucinic ◽  
◽  
David W. O'Connell ◽  
Quentin G. Crowley ◽  
Catherine Coxon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Wastewater Effluent ◽  
Karst Aquifers ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Marble Slurry’s Impact on Groundwater: The Case Study of the Apuan Alps Karst Aquifers

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Piccini ◽  
Tiziana Di Lorenzo ◽  
Pilario Costagliola ◽  
Diana Maria Paola Galassi
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Karst Aquifer ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Karst Aquifers ◽  
Runoff Water ◽  
Karst Springs ◽  
Ornamental Stones ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Apuan Alps

Modern sawing techniques employed in ornamental stones’ exploitation produce large amounts of slurry that can be potentially diffused into the environment by runoff water. Slurry produced by limestone and marble quarrying can impact local karst aquifers, negatively affecting the groundwater quality and generating a remarkable environmental and economic damage. A very representative case-study is that of the Apuan Alps (north-western Tuscany, Italy) because of the intensive marble quarrying activity. The Apuan Alps region extends over about 650 km2; it hosts several quarries, known all over the world for the quality of the marble extracted, and a karst aquifer producing about 70,000 m3/day of high-quality water used directly for domestic purposes almost without treatments. In addition, Apuan Alps are an extraordinary area of natural and cultural heritage hosting many caves (about 1200), karst springs and geosites of international and national interest. During intense rain events, carbonate slurry systematically reaches the karst springs, making them temporarily unsuitable for domestic uses. In addition, the deterioration of the water quality threatens all the hypogean fauna living in the caves. This paper provides preliminary insights of the hydrological and biological indicators that can offer information about the impact of the marble quarrying activities on groundwater resources, karst habitats and their biodiversity.

scholarly journals Quantitative and Qualitative Methods for the Characterization of Karst Springs (case study: Lorestan province, Zagros Mountain, Iran)

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Geravand ◽  
Seiyed Mossa Hosseini ◽  
Mehran Maghsoudi ◽  
Mojtaba Yamani
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Saturation Index ◽  
Karst Aquifer ◽  
Base Flow ◽  
Spring Discharge ◽  
Karst Aquifers ◽  
Zagros Mountains ◽  
Discharge Data ◽  
Karst Springs

Abstract Karst groundwater resources in the Zagros Mountains are vital for supplying of different demands in the region which need to sustainable management and protection. Quantitative and qualitative characterization of karst aquifers in this region were understudied due to lack of site-specific logging-data and speleological investigations. In this study, a state-of-the-art of the statistical methods developed to characterize karst aquifer based on analyses of the spring recession hydrograph and spring water quality are presented. These methods including Manging’s method for classification of karst aquifers, relationships of precipitation and discharge data, groundwater quality index (GQI), hydrochemical diagrams (Piper, Durov and Gibbs), and Saturation index (SI), Chloro-Alkaline indices (CAI). 42 major karst springs mainly located in folded part of Zagros region (western Iran) are selected for application of the reviewed methods. Results indicated that the saturated zone exerts almost main control over the discharge of 76% of the studied springs. The base-flow contributes as between 80.0% to 100% of total water storage in the study aquifers. 78.5% of the studied aquifers have a high karstification degree. An insignificant lag-time is observed between the precipitation on the karst basin and spring discharge. The hydrochemical diagrams show that the waters are dominated by HCO3 and Ca and the majority of the waters are alkaline, with originate from silicate minerals weathering. Such repeatable methods adopted in this study can provide crucial information of the karst aquifers, especially those suffer scarcity of aquifer hydrodynamic data.

scholarly journals Influence of city municipal waste disposal on groundwater quality and assessment of groundwater suitability in agriculture

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-344
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Municipal Waste ◽  
Waste Stabilization ◽  
Groundwater Suitability ◽  
The Impact

This study focuses on the impact of the disposal of Tirunelveli city municipal waste in the quality of groundwater in Ramayanpatti village where the waste is disposed; the study also assesses the quality of the groundwater suitability in irrigation in the disposed region. Tirunelveli city generates municipal waste of nearly 15 MLD of domestic wastewater and 100 tons of solid waste in a day. The domestic wastewater is treated by waste stabilization pond. The solid waste is dumped in the open yard. These two disposal sites are located in the Ramayanpatti area and their boundaries are at a distance of 500m from each other. Ground water resources are extracted in use for agriculture in the area of Ramayanpatti. Around thirty, locations have been identified in the Ramayanpatti area for sampling, based on the contour and flow direction. The dominant chemical cation species in the majority of the groundwater samples are in the order of Na>Ca>Mg>K and anion species are in the order of HCO3>Cl>SO4>NO3. Gibbs plot shows that the region is dominated by evaporation and dilution phenomenon. Rhode’s plot shows that there is no reduction in the rate of infiltration of soil in the Ramayanpatti region. Dendrogram shows that the leachates infiltration is predominant in the winter season. The study shows that the groundwater quality, nearer and to the southeastern side of the disposal sites are most affected and contaminated by solid waste leachates. The inference with various irrigation plots show that the quality of groundwater in the southeastern region is doubtful for use in irrigation and the groundwater needs to be assessed in order to use in irrigation for agriculture.

Monitoring of groundwater in Gabal el Asfar wastewater irrigated area (Greater Cairo)

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 163-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Rashed ◽  
S. R. Awad ◽  
M. A. Salam ◽  
E. Smidt
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Land Reclamation ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
National Level ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Sewage Effluent ◽  
Nile Valley ◽  
Greater Cairo ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

In arid to semi-arid countries water scarcity on a national level is seemingly contradicted by the local occurrence of sometimes large amounts of domestic wastewater. Consequently, in many countries this wastewater is considered as an additional source of water, particularly for irrigation purposes. The government of Egypt is planning to use wastewater in land reclamation in many areas on the Eastern and Western fringes of the Nile Valley and Delta. A preliminary survey on the effects of wastewater irrigation was carried out by the Research Institute for Groundwater (RIGW) in the Gabal el Asfar area (Greater Cairo) in 1990-1991. A general framework of reuse of sewage effluent for irrigation in Egypt was discussed. The hydrogeological setting of the Gabal el Asfar area, the groundwater flow system and the thickness of the unsaturated zone were described. The impact on groundwater quality from sewage effluent irrigation has been assessed and the migration of pollution was evaluated. The main objective of the present study is to analyze and explain changes in groundwater quality between 1991 and 1994. The study is executed within the framework of the Environmental Management Groundwater Resources project.

scholarly journals The effect of plant-soil treatment plant on the groundwater quality

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
pp. 00137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Pawęska
Keyword(s):  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Soil Treatment ◽  
Irrigation Regime ◽  
Physicochemical Composition ◽  
Plant Soil ◽  
Irrigated Area ◽  
The Impact

The paper presents the impact assessment of the plant-soil treatment plant on the groundwater quality. The physicochemical composition of groundwater was analysed. The samples were collected form the piezometer network located in the irrigated area and around it. Water quality tests were carried out in 2014 with the frequency of the month. Changes in the physicochemical composition of groundwater were determined with reference to quality of domestic wastewater used for irrigation. The obtained results were also referred to groundwater parameters limits before the facility’s operation started. As a result of many years of exploitation the groundwater quality under the irrigated area has changed. The boundary of individual segments of wastewater treatment plant is clearly marked by the change in concentrations of the observed pollution indicators. The highest values of organic matter expressed by BOD and COD were observed in the groundwater the I segment (respectively 6.9 gO2·m-3 and 66.2 gO2·m-3). This was the results of a change in the irrigation regime. As the result of irrigation, an increase of nitrate (V) and nitrate (III) was also observed in comparison to their pre-operational values. Plant-soil treatment plant prove high effectiveness of work. However, due to their significant impact on the groundwater quality their operating should be gradually reduced.

scholarly journals Malta’s Water Scarcity Challenges: Past, Present, and Future Mitigation Strategies for Sustainable Water Supplies

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 9835
Author(s):  
Lindsey Hartfiel ◽  
Michelle Soupir ◽  
Rameshwar S. Kanwar
Keyword(s):  
Water Stress ◽  
Groundwater Quality ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Wastewater Reuse ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Mediterranean Country ◽  
Aquifer Systems ◽  
The Impact

The small Mediterranean country of Malta, an island located between Italy and North Africa, has been facing and will continue to face water stress and scarcity in the coming years, receiving the designation as the most water stressed country in Europe. In the past, Malta’s water challenges were centered around water quantity concerns, but in more recent years, the severity of their water stress has been strengthened by the deterioration of the groundwater quality and quantity. Through the over-extraction of their groundwater, saltwater intrusion has steadily occurred into their freshwater aquifer systems, worsening their groundwater quality for both domestic and agricultural purposes. The objective of this paper is to conduct an extensive review on the history of Malta’s water problems and how Malta is working to combat its water scarcity concerns. Additionally, this paper investigates the impact of Malta’s water scarcity on its food and energy security challenges. Our study concludes that while Malta has obstacles to overcome in their pursuit of water security and sustainable development, the future remains hopeful, with several alternatives still available. Some of the alternatives explored in this review include wastewater reuse, increased awareness, use of alternative energy sources, rainwater harvesting, and implementation of nation-wide strategic water policies.

scholarly journals Status and codification of karst aquifer systems in Greece

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Konstantinos S. Voudouris
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Karst Aquifer ◽  
Specific Capacity ◽  
Karst Aquifers ◽  
Karstic Aquifer ◽  
Aquifer Systems ◽  
Karst Systems ◽  
Quality Status

Karst groundwater is an important natural resource for the water supply. The karst aquifer systems of Greece are developed within carbonate sedimentary (limestone, dolomite) and metamorphic rocks (marbles) and contribute significantly to water supply for domestic and irrigation use. They are discharged through springs: submarine, coastal brackish and inland freshwater springs. This review presents the general characteristics of karst aquifers focusing on hydraulic properties. Evaluation of the results shows that the hydraulic parameters of the karstic aquifer systems range within a large scale of values depending on karstification, tectonics and stratigraphy. High values of transmissivity and specific capacity are recorded in the upper stratigraphically levels of the karstic aquifer systems. In addition, a total of 229 different karst systems were classified according to five criteria: 1) Lithology, 2) Position, 3) Quality status, 4) Exploitation and quantitative status and 5) Discharge of springs. The majority (80%) of karst systems is developed in sedimentary rocks (limestones) and is of good water quality and quantitative status. Poor water quality status is recorded in coastal karst aquifers (mainly on islands) due to seawater intrusion phenomena. Finally, this work summarizes the characteristics of the karst aquifers in Greece in order to ensure the sustainable management of groundwater resources.

scholarly journals Groundwaters of the "Valjevo karst" area (Western Serbia)

2021 ◽  
pp. 2-2
Author(s):  
Petar Dokmanovic ◽  
Veljko Marinovic
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Karst Aquifer ◽  
Upper Triassic ◽  
Karst Area ◽  
Karst Aquifers ◽  
Total Flow ◽  
Total Flow Rate ◽  
Relevant Research ◽  
Karst Springs ◽  
Local Water

"Valjevo karst" is an area of about 780 km2 in a broader sense, while the uncovered karstified limestone makes about 330 km2. It is a part of the Inner Dinarides (Western Serbia). In the litho-stratigraphic view, the karstified limestones of Middle-Upper Triassic dominate, in which karst aquifers are formed. Analysis and systematization of the available data of hydrogeological and other relevant research is carried out. A branched network of groundwater traces between swallow holes and discharge points is presented as well as main features of sixteen karst springs (or scattered discharge zones) and nine (group of) wells, divided into five sectors. Average karst aquifer discharge of the whole area is calculated on 5.18 m3/s. Total minimum flow rate of the analysed karst springs and discharge zones is estimated at 1.2 m3/s, while the total flow rate of the analysed wells is estimated at about 0.3 m3/s, which makes about 1.5 m3/s of total (minimum) discharge. All analysed waters are low-mineralized (<1 g/l), while temperatures range from 9-35?C. Use of the waters is multipurpose: municipal and local water supply, commercial bottling, recreational pools etc.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document