The influence of hydrogeological and anthropogenic variables on phthalate contamination in eogenetic karst groundwater systems. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Torres, Norma I.; Yu, Xue; Padilla, Ingrid Y.; Macchiavelli, Raul E.; Ghasemizadeh, Reza; Kaeli, David; Cordero, Jose F.; Meeker, John D.; Alshawabkeh, Akram N.
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 237(2018)
• Page Start: 298
• Page End: 307
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Groundwater contamination -- Phthalates -- Karst aquifers -- Logistic regression model; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.01.106
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigates the occurrence of six phthalates and distribution of the three most-detected phthalates in the karst region of northern Puerto Rico (KRNPR) using data from historical records and current field measurements. Statistical data analyses, including ANOVA, Chi-Square, and logistic regression models are used to examine the major factors affecting the presence and concentrations of phthalates in the KRNPR. The most detected phthalates include DEHP, DBP, and DEP. At least one phthalate specie is detected above DL in 7% of the samples and 24% of the sampling sites. Concentrations of total phthalates average 5.08 ± 1.37 μg L −1, and range from 0.093 to 58.4 μg L −1 . The analysis shows extensive spatial and temporal presence of phthalates resulting from dispersed phthalate sources throughout the karst aquifers. Hydrogeological factors are significantly more important in predicting the presence and concentrations of phthalates in eogenetic karst aquifers than anthropogenic factors. Among the hydrogeological factors, time of detection and hydraulic conductivities larger than 300 m d −1 are the most influential factors. Persistent presence through time reflects continuous sources of phthalates entering the aquifers and a high capacity of the karst aquifers to store and slowly release contaminants for long periods of time. The influence of hydraulic conductivity reveals the importance of contaminant fate and transport mechanisms from contamination sources. This study improves the understanding of factors affecting the spatial variability and fate of phthalates in karst aquifers, and allows us to better predict their occurrence based on these factors. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Widespread phthalate uses results in dispersed pollution sources in karst aquifers. DEHP, DEP, and DEP are the most detected phthalates in karst groundwater. Time and hydraulic conductivities strongly influence the presence of phthalates. Abstract : Higher detections and concentrations of phthalates are related to hydrogeological characteristics of karst aquifer systems.