Groundwater Contamination Assessment by Problem-Specific Selection of Analytical Parameters

Abstract

The approach outlined in this work permits a systematic, substance-specific and use-specific examination and evaluation of abandoned waste deposits and other waste sites with regard to emissions from these into groundwater. Examination and evaluation are based on a clear reduction of the number of substances to be measured and evaluated to those which permit an estimation of the potential risk involved in a use of affected groundwater for drinking purposes (priority contaminants). Useful results for practical application are:

• • a list of the priority contaminants to be analyzed;

• • the transfer and persistence potential of these contaninants in groundwater; and

• • concentrations of these contaminants at the site of use being still tolerable.

Thus, a parameter package is provided which permits a scientifically founded, problem-adapted and economic examination and evaluation of abandoned sites of waste deposits in view of their contamination potential and the resulting risk for groundwater use.

Key Words:

• Groundwater contamination
• inorganics
• chlorinated hydrocanbons
• waste disposal sites