|
Title:
|
|
Leaching of inorganic contaminants towards groundwater - Impact assessment of the Dutch Soil Quality Decree on Groundwater
|
|
|
|
Author(s):
|
Spijker, J.; Groenenberg, B.J.; Comans, R.N.J. |; Dijkstra, J.J.
|
|
|
|
Published by:
|
Publication date:
|
|
ECN
Environment & Energy Engineering
|
26-8-2015
|
|
|
|
ECN report number:
|
Document type:
|
|
ECN-E--15-044
|
ECN publication
|
|
|
|
Number of pages:
|
Full text:
|
|
205
|
Download PDF
|
Abstract:
Since the industrial revolution, Dutch soils have gradually been diffusely
contaminated by human activities like industry, agriculture and road traffic.
Nevertheless, most soils comply with the threshold levels of the Dutch Soil
Quality Decree. However, in the long term (several hundreds of years)
underneath (diffusely) contaminated soils the increasing concentrations of heavy
metals in groundwater may become a risk. These substances can leach from the
upper soil and gradually contaminate the groundwater. The National Institute for
Public Health and the Environment recommends that for sustainable
groundwater management these long-term effects are taken into account.
Special attention is needed for the concentrations of cadmium, nickel and zinc.
It is unrealistic to undo the impact of human activities on soils. However, it is
important for spatial planning to reckon with the effects of soil contamination on
groundwater – for example, when diffusely contaminated soils are being reused.
For sustainable groundwater management the groundwater function
(ecosystemservice) should not deteriorate as a result of these effects – for
example, when groundwater is used for drinking water production or when
groundwater feeds a sensitive surface water ecosystem. At locations with
residential or industrial activities, higher metal soil concentrations are allowed in
accordance with use.
For the model calculations the worst case scenarios from the Dutch Soil Quality
Decree are simulated. In these scenarios soils have the maximum
concentrations allowed (the so-called Maximum Values). The National Institute
for Public Health and the Environment recommends refining the model scenarios
to gain insight into the specific situations in which these increased
concentrations in groundwater can occur. It is also recommended that the model
be improved so that it can be used to address general questions concerning the
relationship between heavy metal impact on soils and groundwater quality – for
example, in the case of sustainable spatial planning and the re-use of
contaminated soils and waste products.
Back to List