Laboratory tests for simulating attenuation processes of aromatic amines in riverbank filtration

Based on a two-step laboratory test including biodegradation and adsorption, it is possible to derive a prognosis of the behaviour of organic compounds during riverbank filtration and to prioritise the substances with regard to drinking water quality. It is shown for aromatic amines, used as an example of organics found in River Elbe water, Germany, how the simulation methods provide basic information about rate constants of biological degradation and adsorption equilibrium constants under conditions that are as realistic as possible. Biodegradation of nitroanilines and higher chlorinated anilines is relatively slow and adsorption onto the sandy aquifer material is weak. Accordingly, occurrence of these compounds in the production wells of the waterworks cannot be excluded.