The Study of Groundwater Contamination with Volatile Organic Micropollutants (Trichloroethylene) in Northern Bucharest

Abstract

The potential severity of some incidents regarding groundwater contamination within urban areas has recently led to the intensification of national concerns for complex identification and assessment of risks in contaminated areas and of their effects on human and environmental health. Urban groundwater protection in line with environmental objectives directly depends on the implementation of the legal and technical regulations in force in a proactive manner, aiming at the appropriate treatment of pollution situations and the effective management of the related risks. Given the massive industrial use of volatile organic compounds, their accumulation in the environment poses a major threat to the environment and public health, including through water pollution. This paper presents the results of a study on the presence of trichlorethylene (TCE) in groundwater and drinking water in a residential area of Bucharest (Pipera-Tunari area), highlighting TCE contamination found in some cases in concentrations well above the required limit set by Law 458 on Drinking Water Quality. The study analyzes the seasonal variations of TCE contamination, while addressing the effectiveness of applicable depollution solutions. The results of the study provide the most useful information for water quality authorities, and can be regarded as a benchmark for similar analyzes in other urban areas.