Behavior of dissolved organic Carbon during bank filtration under extreme climate conditions

Abstract

Based on laboratory experiments concerning the influence of temperature on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) transport processes during soil passage, the impact of possible hydrological changes on the efficiency of bank filtration and artificial recharge are discussed. Possible climate change as discussed in established climate scenarios and its effect on bank filtration as cost-efficient sustainable technique for drinking water supply is evaluated. In particular, the increased biological activity at higher temperatures in the aquifer improves the cleaning efficiency of the soil passage, and indeed the soil passage itself acts as a buffer. For the case of an increased occurrence of extreme events such as floods and lowflow periods, application strategies for safeguarding the drinking water supply are presented. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011.