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Groundwater diffuse pollution in functional urban areas: The need to define anthropogenic diffuse pollution
Arianna Azzellino1, Loris Colombo1, Silvia Lombi1
1Politecnico di Milano, DICA, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32-20133 Milano, Italy.
The Science of the Total Environment
|January 11, 2019
Summary
Identifying diffuse pollution background levels in urban groundwater is challenging. This study uses a multivariate statistical approach to analyze extensive geochemical data, revealing distinct groundwater clusters and informing management plans.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Hydrogeology
- Statistical Analysis
Background:
- Urban groundwater is impacted by diffuse pollution, complicating source identification.
- EU legislation addresses natural background levels but lacks procedures for diffuse pollution background levels exceeding quality standards.
- Chlorinated solvents (PCE, TCE, TCM) and hexavalent chromium are prevalent groundwater contaminants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss a multivariate statistical approach for identifying anthropogenic diffuse pollution background levels.
- To develop a method for managing groundwater quality in highly urbanized areas.
Main Methods:
- A multivariate statistical approach was applied to a large geochemical dataset (618,258 analyses from 3477 wells).
- Data from 2003-2014 for an area of 1600 km² (Milan Functional Urban Area) were merged and quality-checked.
- Five distinct groundwater clusters with unique hydrogeological characteristics and pollutant levels were identified.
Main Results:
- The analysis identified five clusters with differing temporal profiles and pollutant background concentrations.
- These clusters exhibited varied responses to meteo-climatic changes.
- The study provides a robust dataset for understanding diffuse pollution dynamics.
Conclusions:
- The multivariate statistical approach effectively characterizes diffuse pollution background levels.
- Findings support the development of targeted diffuse pollution management plans for urban areas.
- This research contributes to safeguarding urban groundwater quality against anthropogenic impacts.
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