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Analysis of Ground‐Water Remedial Alternatives at a Superfund Site
Author(s) -
Zheng C.,
Bennett G. D.,
Andrews C. B.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
groundwater
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1745-6584
pISSN - 0017-467X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6584.1991.tb00570.x
Subject(s) - remedial education , superfund , environmental remediation , remedial action , environmental science , civil engineering , computer science , engineering , hazardous waste , waste management , contamination , mathematics , ecology , mathematics education , biology
This paper presents a simple yet effective approach and methodology for the problem of evaluating ground‐water remedial alternatives at a waste disposal site, and discusses the application of this approach in a case study. The attainment areas, which represent the areas (outside the contaminant source itself) in which remediation is required, are first identified. Simulation of ground‐water flow in three dimensions, augmented by fluid particle tracking, is utilized to evaluate the travel times of ground water through the attainment areas. The mixed linear reservoir or “batch flush” model is then used to estimate the number of pore volumes which must be flushed through each attainment area in order to achieve remediation. The travel times are used in conjunction with this pore volume figure to estimate the time required for cleanup under each alternative. By comparing the cleanup time, the costs, and other features of each alternative, a cost‐effective remedy for the study site can be determined. While the development of remedial alternatives and the choice of the most cost‐effective remedy are highly site‐specific, the approach and methodology outlined in this paper have general applicability. The results presented herein also provide insight into the difficulties and special considerations associated with modeling and analyzing remedial alternatives.