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Potential of groundwater contamination by polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in a sensitive bedrock aquifer (Canada)

Contamination potentielle de l’eau souterraine d’un aquifère vulnérable du socle par des polybromodiphényl éthers (PBDEs) (Canada)

Potencial contaminación del agua subterránea por polibromodifeniléteres (PBDEs) en un acuífero sensible de basamento (Canadá)

加拿大某敏感基岩含水层多溴二苯醚 (PBDEs) 潜在地下水污染

Potencial de contaminação das águas subterrâneas por difenil éteres polibromados (PBDEs) num aquífero fraturado sensível (Canadá)

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Abstract

It is necessary to understand the presence, movement, and persistence of contaminants in aquifers to develop adequate groundwater protection plans. Fractured bedrock aquifers with thin overburden cover are very sensitive to contamination, and little is known about transport processes from the ground surface to depth in this setting. This study was undertaken to investigate the potential of groundwater contamination by polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which are flame retardants, in a natural fractured bedrock aquifer in Canada proven to be sensitive to contamination. PBDEs, which had not been previously measured in groundwater in detail, were detected in the study aquifer at concentrations greater than those observed in surface-water bodies. Potential sources include manure, septic tanks, and the atmosphere. From this scoping study, it is evident that additional surveys of PBDE concentrations in groundwater are warranted, especially in settings with high potential source concentrations coupled with sensitive aquifers.

Résumé

Il est nécessaire de comprendre la présence, les mouvements et la persistance des polluants dans les aquifères afin de développer des plans de protection adaptés à la protection des eaux souterraines. Les aquifères d’un socle fracturé recouvert d’une couverture peu épaisse sont très sensibles à la pollution et on sait peu sur les processus de transfert de la surface du sol vers la profondeur dans cette configuration. On a entrepris cette étude pour reconnaître le degré de pollution par des polybromodiphényl éthers (PBDE) retardateurs de flamme d’un aquifère du socle fracturé naturellement reconnu comme vulnérable à la pollution au Canada. Les PBDE, qui n’avaient pas été précédemment dosés de façon précise dans la nappe, ont été détectés dans l’aquifère objet de l’étude à des concentrations supérieures à celles observées dans les eaux de surface. Les sources potentielles incluent les engrais, les fosses septiques et l’atmosphère. Suivant cette étude cadre, il est évident que des campagnes complémentaires de mesure des concentrations de PBDE dans l’eau souterraine sont justifiées, particulièrement dans des configurations où de hautes concentrations de sources potentielles sont couplées avec des aquifères vulnérables.

Resumen

Es necesario entender la presencia, movimiento y persistencia de los contaminantes en los acuíferos para desarrollar planes de protección adecuados de las aguas subterráneas. Los acuíferos en rocas de basamento fracturado con una delgada cubierta son muy sensibles a la contaminación, y poco es conocido acerca de los procesos de transporte desde la superficie del terreno a la profundidad en esta configuración. Este estudio se llevó a cabo para investigar el potencial de la contaminación de agua subterránea por polibromodifeniléteres (PBDEs), que son retardantes del fuego, en un acuífero de basamento fracturado natural en Canadá que se conoce como sensible a la contaminación. Los PBDEs, que no habían sido previamente medidos detalladamente en el agua subterránea, fueron detectados en el estudio del acuífero en concentraciones mayores que aquellas observadas en los cuerpos de agua superficial. Las fuentes potenciales incluyen estiércol, tanques sépticos, y la atmósfera. A partir este estudio observacional, es evidente que mediciones adicionales de concentraciones de PBDE en aguas subterráneas están justificadas, especialmente en configuraciones con fuentes potenciales de altas concentraciones acopladas con acuíferos sensibles.

摘要

为发展适宜的地下水保护计划, 理解含水层中污染物的存在、运移及持久性是必要的。具有薄层表土层的裂隙基岩含水层对污染及其敏感, 但对此背景下从地表面到深部的运移过程了解较少。本文利用多溴二苯醚 (PBDEs)调查地下水污染的可能性, PBDEs是一种阻燃剂, 在加拿大天然裂隙基岩含水层中被证明对污染物是敏感的。PBDEs在之前的地下水中没有具体的监测过, 在研究区含水层中观测到的浓度大于在地表水体中观测到的。可能的污染源包括粪肥、化粪池以及大气。从本次范围界定研究中明白对于地下水中PBDE浓度的额外调查是有保证的, 尤其是在高可能污染源浓度以及敏感含水层背景下。

Resumo

É necessário perceber a presença, o movimento e a persistência de contaminantes em aquíferos de forma a desenvolver planos adequados de proteção das águas subterrâneas. Aquíferos fraturados com uma pequena espessura de recobrimento são muito sensíveis à contaminação e neste cenário pouco se sabe sobre os processos de transporte a partir da superfície até ao meio subterrâneo. Este estudo foi realizado para investigar o potencial de contaminação das águas subterrâneas por difenil éteres polibromados (PBDEs), que são retardantes de chama, num aquífero fraturado no Canadá o qual provou ser sensível à contaminação. PBDEs, que não tinham previamente sido medidos com detalhe nas águas subterrâneas, foram detetados no estudo do aquífero em concentrações superiores às observadas nas massas de água superficial. As fontes potenciais incluem o estrume, fossas séticas, e a atmosfera. Com base no âmbito deste estudo, é evidente que estão justificadas pesquisas adicionais das concentrações de PBDEs nas águas subterrâneas, especialmente em ambientes com fontes potenciais com altas concentrações associadas aquíferos sensíveis.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for providing funding support for this research. In particular, the authors wish to thank H. Brodie-Brown and J. Miller for assisting this study. J. Jiao, R. Flynn and two anonymous reviewers provided helpful and constructive comments.

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  1. Département des sciences de la Terre et de l’atmosphère, Université du Québec à Montréal, Case postale 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QB, H3C 3PA, Canada

    Jana Levison

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Queen’s University, Ellis Hall, 58 University Avenue, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada

    Kent Novakowski

  3. Laboratory Services Branch, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, 125 Resources Road, Toronto, ON, M9P 3V6, Canada

    Eric J. Reiner & Terry Kolic

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  1. Jana Levison
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Correspondence to Jana Levison.

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Levison, J., Novakowski, K., Reiner, E.J. et al. Potential of groundwater contamination by polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in a sensitive bedrock aquifer (Canada). Hydrogeol J 20, 401–412 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-011-0813-3

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