Contaminant Transport and Fate in a Source Zone of a Chlorinated-Solvent Contaminated Superfund Site: Overview and Initial Results of an Advanced Site Characterization Project

M. L. Brusseau, J. W. Rohrer, T. M. Decker, N. T. Nelson, W. R. Linderfelt

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

An advanced site characterization project is being conducted at a chlorinated-solvent contaminated Superfund site to help improve the effectiveness of the remediation program. As a part of this project, two forced-gradient tracer tests were conducted to characterize the transport behavior of bromide and resident trichloroethene and dichloroethene in the aquifer underlying a contaminant source zone. The results indicate significant vertical spatial variability of hydraulic (hydraulic conductivity) and chemical (contaminant concentrations) variables over the 6 m thick aquifer zone. The tracer experiments provide a direct demonstration of the influence of subsurface heterogeneity on water flow, and its possible impact on the efficient removal of trichloroethene and dichloroethene by pump and treat. Extensive elution tailing and rebound were observed for trichloroethene and dichloroethene during the experiments, which indicate the presence of a significant mass of contaminant whose transfer to the advecting water is rate limited. This mass could be sorbed to aquifer material, located within low permeability zones, associated with an immiscible-liquid phase, or some combination thereof. Identification of the factors that control contaminant mass removal is critical for a complete, successful cleanup of the site. Current and future research associated with this site targets these issues.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationInnovative subsurface remediation
Subtitle of host publicationfield testing of physical, chemical and characterization technologies. ACS symposium series 725.
EditorsM.L. Brusseau, D.A. Sabatini, J.S. Gierke, M.D. Annable
PublisherAmerican Chemical Society
Pages265-281
Number of pages17
ISBN (Print)0841235961, 9780841235960
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Environmental Science
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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