Abstract
Contamination of surface waters by organic micropollutants has been reviewed to provide an assessment of the contamination of rivers by both point sources and non-point sources of organic chemicals. Data have been collated on the various classes of compounds discharged via sewage treatment works and trade effluents. These sources release many significant classes of organic chemicals to surface waters including: trihalomethanes, halogenated aliphatic solvents (e.g. 1,2-dichloroethane, trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene), benzene and substituted benzenes, chlorinated phenols, pesticides such as lindane, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Significant industrial chemicals are highlighted from data on frequency of detection in surface waters and industrial effluents, production volume, and toxicity. Chemicals identified as of particular concern include: 1,2-dichloroethane, tetrachloroethene, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, trihalomethanes, all PAHs and benzene. Information on contamination by non-point sources of pesticides is presented, combining data on pesticide usage with data on detection in surface waters, and frequency of breaches to environmental quality standards to provide an assessment of the relative significance of the various pesticide classes as contaminants of surface waters. The pyrethroid insecticides are highlighted in the review, due their high toxicity to aquatic life. The uron herbicides were found to be of particular significance, due to the high frequency of detection of isoproturon as a contaminant of agricultural catchments.
Published Version
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