Halocarbons in ground water, Tucson, Arizona

Abstract

Interest in halocarbons has been sparked by experimental evidence suggesting that these compounds are potential carcinogens and teratogens. The U.S. EPA started a nationwide program in 1970 to identify and quantify trace organic compounds in public water supplies and sewage effluents. To date no detailed large-scale areal ground-water surveys delineating concentrations of these halocarbons have been reported in the literature at the part per trillion level and below. The objectives of this dissertation are twofold: (1) identification, quantification, and detailed areal mapping of several halocarbon species in ground water near the Santa Cruz River northwest of Tucson, Arizona; and (2) development of halocarbon techniques for age dating recently recharged (0-40 years old) ground water. The halocarbon compounds considered are: trichlorofluoromethane (CC1₃F), dichlorodifluoromethane (CC1₂F₂), carbon tetrachloride (CC1₄), chloroform (CHC1₃), trichloroethylene (C₂HC1₃), methyl chloroform (CH₃CC1₃), and tetrachloroethylene (C₂C1₄). Objective (1) includes discussions of the areal halocarbon distributions detected in the ground water, their sources, and a qualitative comparison of the distributions to ground-water quality and land use patterns adjacent to the Santa Cruz River. Objective (2) utilizes the exponential atmospheric concentration buildup of CCl₂F₂, CC1₃F, and CCl₄, and the ratios of CCl₂F₂ to CCl₃F and CCl₄ to CCl₃F. Water samples from wells and the Santa Cruz River were collected in glass syringes and brought to the laboratory for analysis. An electron-capture gas chromatograph coupled to a gas stripping/concentration unit was used to quantify the halocarbons. Four high concentration areas were delineated, each probably associated with a different source: the CWUA area which was irrigated with sewage effluent during the 1960's; Rillito Creek (near its confluence with the Santa Cruz) which is a major ground-water recharge source; the Ina Road treatment plant/landfill/oxidation ponds area; and the Roger Road treatment plant "sewer farm" which is irrigated with sewage effluent. The CCl₂F₂ to CCl₃F ratio distribution indicates that most ground water in the study area is at least partially mixed with recharge less than 30 years old. The ground water adjacent to the Rillito has an apparent age of less than 10 years, in agreement with the CCl₃F distribution. Ground water in the Cortaro area has an apparent age of about 25 years, correlating with the start of irrigation in the area.