OR/17/011 Introduction

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White, D, Williams, P J, Civil, W, and Lapworth, D J. 2017. A field based method for pre-concentration of micro organics using solid phase extraction. British Geological Survey Internal Report, OR/17/011.

Micro-organic (MO) pollution from anthropogenic sources in groundwater (Lapworth et al 2012[1]) and surface waters (Pal et al 2010[2]) is of growing concern. Recent studies show that groundwaters are polluted with a wide range of regulated legacy contaminants and emerging micro-organic pollutants (Stuart et al 2012[3]). These compounds include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial compounds veterinary medicines and pesticides. A diverse range of micro-organic compounds are found in the outflow from sewerage treatment works which are only partially removed by conventional treatment processes and impact the quality of receiving surface water bodies (Pal et al 2010[2]). Micro-organic pollutants are also seen in the run off from agricultural land and urban areas. New broad screening methods are an important way of quantify the diversity of MO pollution in a cost effective way. However, this type of analysis requires highly specialised techniques which are only possible in a limited number of laboratories.

The National Laboratory Service (UK) have developed techniques such as the LC-MS based screening technique to semi-quantify a broad range of polar organic compounds. Additional compounds continue to be added to the list. The LC-MS technique requires a litre of water to be collected in a glass bottle and sent to the lab. For this type of water quality assessment to be made overseas, or in remote areas, water sampling campaigns are often hampered by the need to carry and ship large volumes of liquid. This can be both expensive and cumbersome. Equally, sample storage and preservation is a concern and there is potential for degradation in transit.

References

  1. Lapworth, D J, Baran, N, Stuart, M E, and Ward, R S. 2012. Emerging organic contaminants in groundwater: A review of sources, fate and occurrence, Environmental Pollution, 163, 287–303.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Pal, A, Gin, K Y H, Lin, A Y C, and Reinhard, M. (2010). Impacts of emerging organic contaminants on freshwater resources: review of recent occurrences, sources, fate and effects. Science of the Total Environment, 408(24), 6062–6069.
  3. Stuart, M E, Lapworth, D J, Crane, E J, and Hart, A. 2012. Review of risk from potential emerging contaminants in UK groundwater. Science of the Total Environment, 416, 1–21.