Innovative reactive layer to enhance soil aquifer treatment: successful installation in the Llobregat aquifer (Catalonia, Ne Spain)

M. Hernández; O. Gibert; X. Bernat; C. Valhondo; M. Köck-Schulmeyer; M. Huerta-Fontela; M. V. Colomer

doi:10.21701/bolgeomin.125.2.003

Authors

M. Hernández CeTaqua, Water Technology Center
O. Gibert CeTaqua, Water Technology Center
X. Bernat CeTaqua, Water Technology Center
C. Valhondo IDAEA-CSIC Institute of environmental Assessment and Water Research
M. Köck-Schulmeyer IDAEA-CSIC Institute of environmental Assessment and Water Research
M. Huerta-Fontela AMB Laboratory
M. V. Colomer ACA Water Catalan Agency

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.125.2.003

Keywords:

aquifer recharge, emerging pollutants, infiltration ponds, Llobregat River, reactive layer, soil aquifer treatment

Abstract

The Life+ eNSAT project has demonstrated the effectiveness of a reactive organic layer on the improvement of recharge water quality in an aquifer recharge system. The vegetal compost layer was installed at the bottom of an existing infiltration pond in the Llobregat Lower Valley (Barcelona region) with the purpose of promoting biodegradation and improving the removal emerging micro-pollutants from Llobregat River water. A comprehensive monitoring of water quality including bulk chemistry, emerging micro-pollutants and priority substances indicated that hydrobiochemical changes within the organic layer enhance denitrification processes and reduce the levels of gemfibrozil and carbamazepine TP. This effect is due to the release of dissolved organic carbon which promotes biodegradation processes at local scale in the unsaturated zones, without affecting the furthest piezometers. The reactive layer is still active more than 3 years after its installation.

The economic assessment of this innovative reactive layer shows that it is a promising solution for the improvement of aquifer recharge with low quality waters, not only technically but also from the economic sustainability standpoint.

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