The impact of variable temperatures on the redox conditions and the behaviour of pharmaceutical residues during artificial recharge

• Published in: Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam) Vol. 328; no. 1; pp. 141 - 156
• Main Authors: Massmann, G., Greskowiak, J., Dünnbier, U., Zuehlke, S., Knappe, A., Pekdeger, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 30.08.2006; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: aerobic conditions; air temperature; anaerobic conditions; antipyrine; Artificial recharge; Biodegradation; carbamazepine; Denitrification; drug residues; drugs; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Exact sciences and technology; Geochemistry; groundwater contamination; groundwater recharge; Hydrogeology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; infiltration (hydrology); Mineralogy; oxidation; Pharmaceutical residues; Phenazone; Pollution, environment geology; ponds; Redox conditions; redox potential; seasonal variation; Silicates; unsaturated conditions; Water geochemistry; Germany; Central Europe; Biodegradation; Denitrification; Redox conditions; Artificial recharge; Phenazone; Pharmaceutical residues; ponds; rainfall; atmospheric precipitation; Europe; ground water; oxidation; biodegradation; ground-water recharge; rain water; pollution; denitrification; infiltration; Denitrfication; artificial recharge; hydraulic conductivity; aquifers; hydrochemistry; water resource management; organic materials; temperature; microstructures
• ISSN: 0022-1694; 1879-2707
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2005.12.009

The redox conditions below an artificial recharge pond in Berlin were largely dependent on seasonal temperature changes of 0–24 °C in the infiltrate. Aerobic conditions prevailed in winter, when temperatures were low, while anaerobic conditions were reached below the pond when temperatures exceeded 14 °C. In contrast to temperature changes, cyclic changes between saturated or unsaturated conditions below the pond had only a minor effect on the redox conditions. However, the intrusion of gaseous oxygen during unsaturated conditions caused a temporary reinforced increase in oxidation of particulate organic matter. The effect of variable redox conditions on the behaviour of a number of pharmaceutically active compounds, namely carbamazepine, phenazone and several phenazone-type PhACs, was investigated. Phenazone is redox sensitive and was generally fully degraded before reaching the first groundwater well, as long as oxygen was present. When conditions turned anaerobic, phenazone was not fully eliminated. 1-Acetyl-1-methyl-2-dimethyl-oxymoyl-2-phenylhydrazide (AMDOPH) and carbamazepine are very persistent drug residues. However, results suggest that AMDOPH may be slightly degradable under aerobic conditions too, but further studies will be needed to verify this statement.