Evaluation of EOC removal processes during artificial recharge through a reactive barrier

- This study shows that a reactive barrier can enhance EOC removal.
- The barrier releases DOC to favor a broad range of redox states.
- Biotransformation and sorption were estimated with a numerical model for ten EOCs.
- The model was calibrated against an experimental database.

A reactive barrier that consisted of vegetable compost, iron oxide and clay was installed in an infiltration basin to enhance the removal of emerging organic compounds (EOCs) in the recharge water. First-order degradation rates and retardation factors were jointly estimated for 10 compounds using a multilayer reactive transport model, whose flow and conservative transport parameters were previously estimated using hydraulic head values and conservative tracer tests. Reactive transport parameters were automatically calibrated against the concentration of EOCs measured at nine monitoring points. The degradation rate of each compound was estimated for three zones defined according to the redox state, and retardation coefficients were estimated in two zones defined according to the organic matter content. The fastest degradation rates were obtained for the reactive barrier, and the estimated values were similar to or higher than those estimated in column and/or field experiments for most of the compounds (8/10). Estimated retardation coefficients in the reactive barrier were higher than in the rest of the aquifer in most cases (8/10) and higher than those values estimated in previous studies. Based on the results obtained in this study the reactive barrier seems to be able to enhance the removal of EOCs.

Graphical Abstract285