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Abstract
Abstract. GLOBAL-FATE is the first open-source, multiplatform, user-friendly, and modular contaminant-fate model operating at the global scale linking human consumption of pharmaceutical-like compounds with their concentration in the river network. GLOBAL-FATE simulates human consumption and excretion of pharmaceuticals, the attenuation of the contaminant load in waste water treatment plants as well as the attenuation of the contaminant load in river reaches, lakes, and reservoirs as a first-order decay depending on residence time. We provide a comprehensive description of model equations and the overall structure of the model, with special attention to input–output datasets. GLOBAL-FATE is written in C, can be compiled in any platform, and uses inputs in standard geographical information system (GIS) format. Additionally, the model can be run in the Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) as a plug-in. The model has no built-in working resolution, which depends on the intended use and the availability of appropriate model inputs and observed data. We exemplify the application of GLOBAL-FATE solving the global concentration of diclofenac in the river network. A comparison with a dataset of diclofenac concentration observations in rivers suggests that GLOBAL-FATE can be successfully applied in real-case modelling exercises. The model is particularly sensitive to the generation of contaminant loads by human pharmaceutical consumption and to the processes governing contaminant attenuation in the river network. GLOBAL-FATE will be a valuable tool for the scientific community and the policymaking arena and could be used to test the effectiveness of large-scale management strategies related to pharmaceutical consumption control and waste water treatment implementation and upgrading.
Highlights
The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development identifies 17 master goals, amongst which is the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation
GLOBAL-FATE simulates human consumption and excretion of pharmaceuticals, the attenuation of the contaminant load in waste water treatment plants as well as the attenuation of the contaminant load in river reaches, lakes, and reservoirs as a first-order decay depending on residence time
GLOBAL-FATE will be a valuable tool for the scientific community and the policymaking arena and could be used to test the effectiveness of large-scale management strategies related to pharmaceutical consumption control and waste water treatment implementation and upgrading
Summary
The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development identifies 17 master goals, amongst which is the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation. Others are process-based, operating at the watershed scale, and perform as dynamical in-stream water quality models, such as MIKE11, SWAT, WASP, QUAL2E, or DELWAQ (Liang et al, 2015; Santhi et al, 2005; Di Toro et al, 1983; Brown et al, 1987; Van Wijngaarden, 1999) Another set of models analyse the dynamics of down-the-drain pollutants, considering the linkages between engineered systems (e.g. WWTPs) and natural systems (e.g. rivers). Other approaches designed for very large scales have used a geographical information system (GIS) framework to solve the routing of chemicals along the river network (Pistocchi et al, 2012; Dumont et al, 2015; Grill et al, 2016; Rice and Westerhoff, 2017) Most of these models use a much simpler model parameterization in order to make continental and global calculations accessible. We discuss strengths and limitations of GLOBAL-FATE and point to future developments
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