Drinking Water Organic Pollutants
Organic pollutants in water can come from various sources, including industrial activities, agriculture, urban runoff, and natural processes. These pollutants can pose significant risks to human health and the environment. Here are some common types of organic pollutants found in groundwater and used for drinking purposes.
Pesticides and Herbicides & organic pollutants in water
Chemicals used in agriculture to control pests and weeds can leach into groundwater, contaminating drinking water sources. Pesticides are used to protect crops from disease and increase production, but excessive use can increase or leave unused organic pollutants leached to underground water. Examples include atrazine, glyphosate, and chlorpyrifos.
Industrial Chemicals & organic pollutants in water
Industrial activities release a wide range of organic pollutants into the water and the environment, including solvents, fuels, and by-products from manufacturing processes. Even hazardous waste from industrial units stored for a long time or waiting for proper disposal also increases leaching to groundwater. Industrial areas and urban areas probably have high total dissolved solids and organic pollutants in groundwater. Municipal effluent, leakage from drain lines, and inadequate protection also increase groundwater contamination and pollution. Industries use large amounts of chemicals, and spills, leaks, soil absorption, and leaching into groundwater can occur as a result. Examples include benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene (TCE).
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) form during the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and organic matter. They can contaminate groundwater near industrial sites, gas stations, and urban areas. To overcome this issue, vehicles and industrial units should use machinery that consumes less fuel, has higher combustion efficiency, and produces fewer organic compound emissions.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are organic pollutants in water
VOCs are a group of organic chemicals that can easily evaporate into the air. However, industries are always bound to take care of these compounds, which come from plastics, tires, coal-fired boilers, and boilers using biomass fuels. Furthermore, they produce high amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and contaminate air, soil, and underground water near industrial sites, landfills, and underground storage tanks. Examples include benzene, ethylbenzene, and xylene.
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products
Residues from medications, cosmetics, and other personal care products can end up in groundwater through wastewater discharge or improper disposal. These pollutants can include antibiotics, hormones, and synthetic fragrances. Recent research has found pharmaceutical products, mainly from the paracetamol group, in underground water.
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) as organic pollutants in water
EDCs are chemicals that can interfere with the body’s hormonal system, leading to reproductive, developmental, and other health effects. They can be found in groundwater due to industrial releases, agricultural runoff, and household products.
Research Background of organic pollutants in water
Researchers have found over 200 organic pollutants in groundwater, many of which are thought to be endocrine disruptors or human carcinogens, and the number continues to rise. Lesser et al. 2018; Jurado et al. 2012; Lapworth et al. 2012; Sorensen et al. 2015).
While the body can break down certain organic pollutants, others are persistent. The primary sources of the biodegradable organic pollutants are industrial effluent and household sewage.
The body naturally creates many of these organic compounds from proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and oils. Microorganisms can then convert these organic compounds into stable inorganic compounds. They can lower the amounts of dissolved oxygen in groundwater, but they don’t directly harm living things. According to Lapworth et al. (2015) and Meffe and Bustamante (2014), common organic pollutants include hydrocarbons, halogenated chemicals, plasticizers, pesticides, medications, personal care products, and natural estrogens. Fluorinated, brominated, or chlorinated halogenated substances can accumulate and enrich in living organisms, including humans, because these compounds may negatively impact organisms from higher trophic levels (Gwenzi and Chaukura, 2018; Schulze et al., 2019).
According to Lapworth et al. (2015), substances utilized in industrial operations, agriculture, and human health protection are the primary sources of persistent organic pollutants. These substances constitute a long-term risk to the quality of groundwater used for drinking since they break down very slowly or possibly never at all (Schulze et al. 2019).
Conclusion
Monitoring and regulating the levels of organic pollutants in groundwater is essential to protect human health and the environment. Treatment technologies such as activated carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, and advanced oxidation processes can remove organic pollutants from contaminated groundwater sources. Additionally, implementing best management practices in agriculture, industry, and urban areas can help reduce the sources of organic pollutants entering groundwater systems.