Abstract-The occurrence, sources, and fate of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) has been investigated in surface waters, ground waters, drinking waters, wastewaters, and rainwater in Switzerland. The concentrations found in surface waters varied between less than 27 ng/L (limit of quantification) and 340 ng/L, whereas the concentrations in ground water were always below 27 ng/L. It was found that the main sources of TCA in surface waters were the effluents of wastewater treatment plants (average concentration, 430 ng/L; range, 40-1060 ng/L). The average TCA concentration in rainwater was 300 ng/L range, (Ͻ27-900 ng/L). A dynamic mathematical model revealed that TCA is not significantly degraded in a lake (half-life Ͼ230 d). A detailed mass balance in the catchment area of a small lake (Greifensee) and a very rough mass balance over Switzerland indicate that rain is the major source of TCA in Switzerland (Ͼ90%), but they also show that about 60 to 80% of the TCA deposited by rain is eliminated, most probably in the soil.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.