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Einsiedl, F.* ; Radke, M.* ; Maloszewski, P.

Occurrence and transport of pharmaceuticals in a karst groundwater system affected by domestic wastewater treatment plants.

J. Contam. Hydrol. 117, 26-36 (2010)

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Open Access Green as soon as Postprint is submitted to ZB.

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The occurrence of two pharmaceuticals, ibuprofen and diclofenac, in a vulnerable karst groundwater system was investigated. The hydrogeology of the karst system was identified by collecting (3)H samples in groundwater over 27years and by performing tracer tests. The isotopes and tracer data were interpreted by mathematical modeling to estimate the mean transit time of water and to characterize the hydrogeological flow paths in the groundwater system. By this approach, a mean (3)H transit time of 4.6 years for the fissured-porous karst aquifer was determined, whereas the fast flowing water in the conduit system showed a mean transit time of days. Both pharmaceuticals which infiltrated along sinkholes and small streams into the karst system were detected in concentrations of up to approximately 1 microg/L in effluent water of the wastewater treatment plants. Diclofenac was present in most samples collected from four springs discharging the karst groundwater to the rivers Altmühl and Anlauter in concentrations between 3.6 and 15.4 ng/L. In contrast, ibuprofen was rarely detected in groundwater. The results of this study suggest that both pharmaceuticals move into the fractured system of the karst system and go into storage. Thus dilution processes are the dominant control on the concentrations of both pharmaceuticals in the fractured system, whereas biodegradation is likely less important.

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Publication type Article: Journal article

Document type Scientific Article

Corresponding Author

Keywords Karst system; Environmental and artificial tracers; Modeling; Pharmaceuticals

ISSN (print) / ISBN 0169-7722

e-ISSN 1873-6009

Journal Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Quellenangaben Volume: 117, Issue: 1-4, Pages: 26-36

Publisher Elsevier

Non-patent literature Publications

Reviewing status Peer reviewed

Institute(s) Institute of Groundwater Ecology (IGOE)