Efficacy of bank filtration for the removal of fragrance compounds and aromatic hydrocarbons

The elimination of fragrance compounds by bank filtration was studied in a suboxic aquifer. Fragrance compounds were the major volatile organic compou nds (VOC) in river water (Neckar / SW Germany) and were accompanied by arom atic hydrocarbons. Typical fragrance compounds were menthol, limonene, a-te rpineol, 4-tert.butylcyclohexanol and 4-tert.butylcyclohexanone. Bank filtr ation reduced the concentrations of these compounds near to or below their detection limit. The reduction of concentrations in the aquifer was primari ly found in the first meters from the river. The concentrations of the arom atic hydrocarbons were reduced to nanogram per liter levels. (C) 1999 IAWQ Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.