The detection and quantitation of agricultural chemicals in some freshwaters used for potable water supplies in Grampian Region.

The purpose of this project was to examine local sources of potable water supply for traces of organic pollutants which have been used during agricultural practices. A specific aim was to analyse water sources for herbicides (weedkillers) regularly used within the area of Scotland known as Grampian Region. Of particular interest was the analysis of groundwater at a site in the River Spey valley to the north of the Region, the water being envisaged as a source to augment potable supply at some future date. The detection and quantitation of these weedkillers was of concern to Grampian Region Water Services Department, as was their elimination from waters used for potable supplies. In order to achieve these aims, it was first necessary to discover which of the many herbicides were in general use in the Region and what was the extent of their use. Three particular groups of herbicides were used: these were phenoxyacetic acids, benzonitriles, and substituted urea compounds. The methods for analysis of these were critically evaluated to achieve detection limits below the EEC guide levels of 100ng-1. The presence of the herbicides was then sought in a programme of sampling and analysis of potable water supplies carried out during 1989-1990. The outcome of this was that some positive traces of herbicides were detected. With this in mind, experiments were carried out in the laboratory to ascertain the effects of present water treatment processes on the chosen herbicides.

Author dc:creator

• Plane, Neil Hartley

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• M. Melvin, W. Littlejohn and J. Harper

• Herbicide contamination
• Potable water quality
• Groundwater analysis
• Agricultural pollutants
• Water treatment processes
• Phenoxyacetic acid herbicides

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

oai:rgu-repository.worktribe.com:2807531
https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-2807531

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rgu-repository.worktribe.com:2807531