Occurrence and distribution of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in wastewater related riverbank groundwater

Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) are among the most frequently reported groups of emerging contaminants in groundwater worldwide. PPCPs in rivers may infiltrate into groundwater through hydraulic exchange and potentially threaten drinking water safety and human health. In the present study, the occurrence and distribution of nine PPCPs in riverbank groundwater and adjacent rivers (distance up to 113 m) were investigated at four sites with different lithological features and permeabilities of aquifers in a city in North China. Seven of nine PPCPs were detectable in groundwater, ranging from 90%). The concentrations and major compounds in river water varied with the sampling location and water system distribution, resulting in distinct compositions of PPCPs in the groundwater at each site along with different lithology and hydrological conditions. The spatial distribution of PPCPs in riverbank groundwater was affected by the hydraulic connection between the groundwater and river and the lithology of aquifers. Direct hydraulic connection of a fine sand aquifer to the adjacent river caused a decrease in PPCPs with increasing distance. The results also suggested that sandy gravel aquifers had a lower capacity to attenuate PPCPs compared to that of fine sand. Significant correlations between PPCP concentrations and thirteen physicochemical factors of groundwater were discovered, including nitrate, potassium, and manganese. Overall, this study provides important evidence on the role of lithology and hydrological conditions on the composition, distribution, and influential physicochemical factors of PPCPs in riverbank groundwater.

Automated summary

Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) are commonly found emerging contaminants in groundwater, posing risks to drinking water safety and human health. This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of nine PPCPs in riverbank groundwater and adjacent rivers, finding variations in concentrations and major compounds depending on sampling locations and water systems. The spatial distribution of PPCPs in riverbank groundwater was influenced by hydraulic connection and aquifer lithology. Significant correlations were found between PPCP concentrations and physicochemical factors in groundwater. Overall, this study provides important evidence on the role of lithology and hydrological conditions in the composition, distribution, and influential factors of PPCPs in riverbank groundwater.