Site-specific hazard evaluation for improved groundwater risk assessment

Abstract

Groundwater represents one of the most important natural water resources worldwide. Contamination is a key driver in sustaining water quality to populations and the environment. Therefore, it is crucial to look at contamination and potential effects. Within the WaterJPI project "We-Need - WatEr NEEDs, Availability, Quality and Sustainability", the Cremona and the Bologna Aquifers (Italy) were chosen as case studies since both aquifers represent two major Italian water resources of the Emilia-Romagna region. Aiming for a site-specific groundwater hazard assessment, the groundwaters from the Cremona and Bologna aquifers were simulated by preparing synthetic waters, CSW and BSW, respectively. Boron (as boric acid), fluoride (as sodium fluoride), and ammonium (as ammonium hydroxide), detected in the aquifers, were used to assess potential negative impacts on groundwater systems using aquatic organisms. Acute toxicity tests with Daphnia magna and Fish Embryo Toxicity Tests (FET) with Danio rerio were performed in the CSW and BSW synthetic waters and respective culture media, and toxicity was assessed for each organism. Boron, fluoride and ammonium had no ecological hazard effects at the concentrations detected in the groundwaters. Besides, a crucial result from this study regards the use of different media when addressing toxicity assessment. In this case, it was observed that toxicity was media and organism dependent. Therefore, adapting testing protocols for higher relevance should be considered for site-specific hazard assessment.

Keywords: Danio rerio; Daphnia magna; Environmental risk assessment; Field contaminants; Xenobiotics.