Water Quality in Managed Aquifer Recharge< Back

Temporal storage of water in the underground becomes increasingly important in arid and semi-arid regions, where it contributes to a sustainable water management (e.g.Australia,USA,Arabian Peninsula). One aspect of the project is the advancement of monitoring methods in the field of molecular biology and analytical chemistry together with the scientific institutions in the partner countryAustralia. Furthermore the elimination of trace organics and hygienically relevant microorganisms will be investigated in laboratory and field experiments, thereby broadening the understanding for these processes and finally incorporating the findings into reactive transport models.

Scientific Background

Emerging pollutants are substances that attract increasing awareness due to their observed persistence in the water cycle. Among them are pharmaceutical residues, X-ray contrast agents, but also synthetic hormones and xenobiotics with endocrine disrupting effects. The detection of these anthropogenic trace organics takes place via physicochemical methods (HPLC, GC) or in vitro bioassays. The monitoring and successful elimination of pathogens during soil passage and underground storage is a key factor in water quality and an integral part of ongoing scientific research. The joint advancement of detection methods (biomolecular and culture techniques) is part of the project. Natural attenuation processes during soil passage and aquifer storage can contribute to the elimination of micropollutants as well as hygienically relevant microorganisms. In order to obtain more insight into the processes during soil passage, soil column studies will be carried out under saturated and unsaturated conditions and different temperature levels (see figure). The key processes will be simulated in a reactive transport model using PHT3D, based on the combination of a numerical groundwater model with the geochemical equilibrium model PHREEQ-C.

Project and Objectives

Due to its population densityGermanyhas long-standing experience with treated wastewater in natural and engineered water cycles whereasAustraliais currently one of the world leaders in the large scale application and design of Aquifer Storage and Recovery schemes, providing key input to international regulations and guidelines for Managed Aquifer Recharge. The scientific exchange between the partner countries is focused on the following topics:

• Advancement of analytical methods

• Elimination of pathogenic microorganisms

• Elimination of contaminants incl. emerging pollutants

• Process understanding using reactive transport models

Therefore, field-sampling campaigns and laboratory experiments will be carried out and the samples will be exchanged between the partner countries. Long-term studies on biochemical elimination processes will be initiated.