article · Environmental Pollution
). Spatial and statistical analyses linked wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as key CEC sources. CEC diversity was greatest within 3 km of WWTPs, and importantly, carbamazepine, caffeine, and BTSA were identified as highly persistent and mobile compounds, extending up to 18 km downgradient. This long-range transport demonstrates their role as powerful indicators of regional-scale groundwater contamination and reveals a significant risk of far-field pollution beyond immediate source areas. Spearman correlations revealed few significant links between CECs and proximity to hotspots, suggesting diffuse pollution from urban, industrial, and irrigation sources. Depth to groundwater had no effect on CEC presence, indicating aquifer-wide vulnerability. These findings highlight widespread, persistent contamination in drought-impacted semi-arid aquifers, driven largely by WWTPs and urban runoff, emphasizing the need for integrated groundwater protection strategies.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2026.128367
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