Comparison of environmental tracers including organic micropollutants as groundwater exfiltration indicators into a small river of a karstic catchment

Media type: E-Article

Title: Comparison of environmental tracers including organic micropollutants as groundwater exfiltration indicators into a small river of a karstic catchment

Contributor: Glaser, Clarissa [Author]; Schwientek, Marc [Author]; Junginger, Tobias [Author]; Gilfedder, Benjamin Silas [Author]; Frei, Sven [Author]; Werneburg, Martina [Author]; Zwiener, Christian [Author]; Zarfl, Christiane [Author]; 1 Center for Applied Geoscience Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen Tübingen Germany [Author]; 2 Laboratoire d'Hydrologie et de Géochimie de Strasbourg (LHyGeS) Université de Strasbourg/ENGEES Strasbourg France [Author]; 3 Limnological Research Station, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BAYCEER) University of Bayreuth Bayreuth Germany [Author]; 4 Department of Hydrology Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BAYCEER), University of Bayreuth Bayreuth Germany [Author]

Published: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; Hoboken, USA, 2020-09-29

Language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23689/fidgeo-4066

Keywords: radon ; water quality ; Lagrangian sampling ; carbamazepine ; groundwater inflow ; wastewater treatment plant

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Description: Understanding groundwater–surface water (GW–SW) interactions is vital for water management in karstic catchments due to its impact on water quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the applicability of seven environmental tracers to quantify and localize groundwater exfiltration into a small, human‐impacted karstic river system. Tracers were selected based on their emission source to the surface water either as (a) dissolved, predominantly geogenic compounds (radon‐222, sulphate and electrical conductivity) or (b) anthropogenic compounds (predominantly) originating from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents (carbamazepine, tramadol, sodium, chloride). Two contrasting sampling approaches were compared (a) assuming steady‐state flow conditions and (b) considering the travel time of the water parcels (Lagrangian sampling) through the catchment to account for diurnal changes in inflow from the WWTP. Spatial variability of the concentrations of all tracers indicated sections of preferential groundwater inflow. Lagrangian sampling techniques seem highly relevant for capturing dynamic concentration patterns of WWTP‐derived compounds. Quantification of GW inflow with the finite element model FINIFLUX, based on observed in‐stream Rn activities led to plausible fluxes along the investigated river reaches (0.265 m3 s−1), while observations of other natural or anthropogenic environmental tracers produced less plausible water fluxes. Important point sources of groundwater exfiltration can be ascribed to locations where the river crosses geological fault lines. This indicates that commonly applied concepts describing groundwater–surface water interactions assuming diffuse flow in porous media are difficult to transfer to karstic river systems whereas concepts from fractured aquifers may be more applicable. In general, this study helps selecting the best suited hydrological tracer for GW exfiltration and leads to a better understanding of processes controlling groundwater inflow into karstic river ...

Access State: Open Access

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