Synthetic organic compounds and their transformation products in groundwater: Occurrence, fate and mitigation

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 503-504; pp. 32 - 47
• Main Authors: Postigo, Cristina, Barceló, Damià
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.01.2015
• Subjects: Aquifer recharge; Drinking water; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Restoration and Remediation; Flame Retardants - analysis; Groundwater; Groundwater - chemistry; Infiltration; Natural attenuation; Organic Chemicals - analysis; Organic compounds; Organic contaminants; Organophosphates - analysis; Pesticides - analysis; Plasticizers; Plasticizers - analysis; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Riverbank filtration; Transformation products; Transformations; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water quality; Transformation products; Riverbank filtration; Groundwater; Organic contaminants; Natural attenuation; Aquifer recharge
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.06.019

Groundwater constitutes the main source of public drinking water supply in many regions. Thus, the contamination of groundwater resources by organic chemicals is a matter of growing concern because of its potential effects on public health. The present manuscript compiles the most recent works related to the study of synthetic organic compounds (SOCs) in groundwater, with special focus on the occurrence of contaminants not or barely covered by previously published reviews, e.g., pesticide and pharmaceutical transformation products, lifestyle products, and industrial chemicals such as corrosion inhibitors, brominated and organophosphate flame retardants, plasticizers, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Moreover, the main challenges in managed aquifer recharge, i.e., reclaimed water injection and infiltration, and riverbank filtration, regarding natural attenuation of organic micropollutants are discussed, and insights into the future chemical quality of groundwater are provided. •The occurrence of synthetic organic contaminants (SOC) in groundwater is reviewed.•Special consideration is given to SOC transformation products.•Removal of SOCs during managed aquifer recharge is discussed.•Insights into future quality of groundwater concerning SOC occurrence are provided.