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The article presents a research on the geohydraulic and hydrogeochemical processes of a catchment area that is influenced by bank filtration and is exemplified by the case study of Auf dem Grind in Well II, Düsseldorf, Germany. It states that raw water extracted from Well II depicted elevated manganese concentrations. A retrospective modeling shows the principles of long and midterm changes in raw quality, and the processes enable the strategies that optimize the quality of raw water.

Abstract  Riverbank filtration (RBF) is a proven treatment step in a multi-barrier method of drinking-water supply at many sites. RBF wells induce a large amount of river water to infiltrate the river base and travel towards the wells, giving the opportunity for mixing of infiltrated surface water and groundwater. Assessment of raw water quality plays an important role in planning and operating a RBF well field. In this context, the determination of the catchment area (and land uses within the catchment) and the ratio of bank filtrate (BF) to raw groundwater (GW) are two prior steps. Transient model simulations were performed in order to study the hydraulic conditions at the RBF well field at Grind near Düsseldorf, Germany. The BF/GW ratio was determined to be 75/25. The flood events in winter, in particular, showed the BF/GW ratio to have high variation. Transient path lines in the well field were used for delineation of the catchment area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the scope of the interdisciplinary Natural and Artificial Systems for Recharge and Infiltration research project dealing with riverbank filtration processes at the Berlin water works, a semi-technical column experiment has been ongoing since January 2003. Here, a 30 m long soil column is infiltrated with surface water sampled from Lake Tegel (Berlin, Germany) under saturated flow conditions. Changes in pore water hydrochemistry sampled on 21 non-equidistant distributed points are verified by coupled transport and reaction modelling. The objective of reactive transport modelling was to identify the main biogeochemical processes within the soil column during the flushing experiment as a conceptual model for riverbank filtration. Modelling was done with a combination of MATLAB and PHREEQC. The main processes identified are: (1) biogeochemical degradation due to interaction of natural surface water with the soil matrix; (2) continuous dissolution of refractory air bubbles from the soil column matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Targeting the most relevant organic micropollutants (OMP) in routine analysis appears difficult due to formation of transformation products of unknown concentration or toxicity. Performance assessment of water purification processes is still based upon limited target data. Therefore, we broadened the assessment of the removal efficiencies with combined non-target and effect-directed analysis at four riverbank filtration (RBF) sites in Germany. To assess micropollutant elimination, constancy and formation during different seasons, considering local redox conditions, travel distances and total component number in the river, non-target analysis features were grouped into categories. Furthermore, RBF sites were investigated with four endpoints (baseline toxicity, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, antibiotic effects and estrogenic effects) for thin-layer chromatography - effect-directed analysis for the first time. Results showed elimination or reduction of many features and effects, but also constancy and formation of varying proportions. Fall river samples showed precipitation-caused dilution in both tests. Spring samples showed increased effects only in acetylcholinesterase inhibition and estrogenic effects, probably due to phytoestrogens or algae bloom during vegetation period. Sites were ranked considering the total number of features, group proportions, seasonal variations and intensity and number of effects in abstraction wells. Oxic conditions and low initial component numbers in the river (Ruhr sites) resulted in less effects and fewer formations. Longer travel distances were important for a more efficient reduction of effects and features. Combination of non-target and effect-directed analysis proved to be valuable for a more comprehensive assessment of process performance beyond target analysis as also unknown OMP are observed with both methods. Image 1 • Combined non-target and effect-directed analysis valuable for process assessment. • Low component numbers in river lead to reduced effects in production wells. • First application of effect-directed analysis on riverbank filtration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riverbank filtration (RBF) is a reliable water purification technique that has proven to be suitable for the removal of organic micropollutants. Its removal efficiency and dependency on a variety of factors such as redox conditions, temperatures, geology, travel times, level of initial micropollutant concentrations and seasonality were investigated during three seasonal sampling campaigns. Two anoxic (silty sand, Ems river) and two oxic (gravel, Ruhr river) RBF sites in Germany with different travel distances (42–633 m) were studied. Micropollutant concentrations were examined using a large-volume direct injection liquid chromatography method coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. Seasonal differences in micropollutant concentrations in the rivers were observed for chlorotolurone, diclofenac, terbuthylazine, mecoprop-P, MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) and propyphenazone. Redox dependencies in RBF were only found for sulfamethoxazole, propyphenazone, terbuthylazine and carbamazepine. Data for oxazepam, tramadol, N-desmethyl-tramadol, tilidin-desmethyl, carbamazepine and carbendazim indicate a required minimum travel distance of e.g. 100–200 m for the complete removal. Notably, travel time did not seem to be a substantial factor for their removal. High conductivity aquifers are also well suited for micropollutant removal. Seasonal initial concentration level variations showed no impact on the resulting abstraction well concentrations. Although the calculated removal efficiencies varied, they proved to be improper for seasonal raw water quality comparison. Knowledge of micropollutant behavior in riverbank filtration was broadened and RBF proved to be well suited for effective micropollutant reduction throughout the year, yet for a complete removal long travel distances or further technical purification steps are required. Image 1 • Seasonal variations due to agricultural/medical use and degradation variabilities. • Anoxic redox conditions supportive for degradation of some micropollutants. • Data indicate minimum required travel distance rather than minimum travel time. • Level of initial concentrations crucial for several removals during bank filtration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]