title: Evaluating the performance of water purification in a vegetated groundwater recharge basin maintained by short-term pulsed infiltration events.
abstract: Infiltration of surface water constitutes an important pillar in artificial groundwater recharge. However, insufficient transformation of organic carbon and nutrients, as well as clogging of sediments often cause major problems. The attenuation efficiency of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nutrients and pathogens versus the risk of bioclogging for intermittent recharge were studied in an infiltration basin covered with different kinds of macrovegetation. The quality and concentration of organic carbon, major nutrients, as well as bacterial biomass, activity and diversity in the surface water, the porewater, and the sediment matrix were monitored over one recharge period. Additionally, the numbers of viral particles and Escherichia coli were assessed. Our study showed a fast establishment of high microbial activity. DOC and nutrients have sustainably been reduced within 1.2 m of sediment passage. Numbers of E. coli, which were high in the topmost centimetres of sediment porewater, dropped below the detection limit. Reed cover was found to be advantageous over bushes and trees, since it supported higher microbial activities along with a good infiltration and purification performance. Short-term infiltration periods of several days followed by a break of similar time were found suitable for providing high recharge rates, and good water purification without the risk of bioclogging.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mindl
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hofer
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany E-mail: griebler@helmholtz-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kellermann
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany E-mail: griebler@helmholtz-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Willibald
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stichler
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany E-mail: griebler@helmholtz-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Teichmann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Psenner
authors.affiliation: Institute of Earth Sciences, Karl-Franzens University Graz, Heinrichstrasse 26, A-8081 Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Dan L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Danielopol
authors.affiliation: Betriebsgesellschaft Marchfeldkanal, Franz Mair-Strasse 47, 2232 Deutsch-Wagram, Austria.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Neudorfer
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany E-mail: griebler@helmholtz-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Griebler
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D060587:Groundwater / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D014871:Water Microbiology; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D002244:Carbon