Post on 04-Dec-2021
FATE OF CONTAMINANTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED AQUIFERS
THOUGHTS ON DETERMINING THE RELEVANT PHYSICAL TRANSPORT PROCESSES AT FIELD SITES
Denis LeBlanc
Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
With Contributions from:
Brian Andraski, Barbara Bekins, Scott Christenson, Isabelle Cozzarelli, Fred Day-Lewis, Geoff Delin, Bill Herkelrath, Mary Hill, Randy Hunt,
Jim Landmeyer, John Lane, Michelle Lorah, Jason Masoner, Roger Morin, Tom Reilly, Don Rosenberry, Allen Shapiro, Byron Stone,
Dave Stonestrom, and Don Walter (USGS)
Rose Forbes (AFCEE), Graham Fogg
(UCDavis), Kamini
Singha
(Penn State),
Chunmiao
Zheng
(UAlabama), Brewster Conant (UWaterloo), Pete Shanahan (MIT), and Dick Willey and Kathy Hess (USEPA)
Understanding the flow system is critical•
Geohydrologic
framework
•
Sources and sinks of water•
Local and regional boundaries
•
Patterns and rates of flow
MADE site, MSMADE site, MS
Naval Air Warfare CenterNaval Air Warfare Center
(NAWC), NJ(NAWC), NJ
Circular 1224
“Homogeneous” unconsolidated aquifers continue to pose challenges
Talk Outline•
Hydrogeologic framework
•
Flow patterns and discharge •
Heterogeneity and transport
•
Future directions
Laurel Bay, SCLaurel Bay, SC
Amargosa
Desert Research Site, NV
I. Hydrogeologic
Framework Geologic framework relevant to transport at different scales
1 ft
Sea
Level
400 ft
-
400 ft
4 mi
Examples from Cape Cod, MA
1,000 ft
100
ft
Bedrock
Water table
I. Hydrogeologic
Framework Geological models to define hydraulic framework
Dep
ostio
nal
feat
ure
LnK
LLNL Arroyo Seco
Alluvial Fan, CA (Fogg)
5 km
Sea
Level
400 ft
-
400 ft
Glacial outwash
Western Cape Cod
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700 750 800 850 900 950 1000 1050 1100 1150
Traverse Distance westing (m)
750
800
850
Elev
atio
n N
AVD
29 (m
)
20
406080
100120140
160180
200220240
260280300
Resistivity (Ohm-m)
Gravel layers (based on DC resistivity) containing peak contaminant concentrations
Amargosa
Desert
I. Hydrogeologic
Framework Geophysical methods to define hydrogeologic framework
Ambient noise
passive seismic
Passive seismic
Boreholes
Outer Cape Cod Seismic refraction
I. Hydrogeologic
Framework Inverse modeling to improve aquifer representation
Western
Cape Cod
Model parameters
Sen
sitiv
ity
Slough
used to Map the Biogeochemical Zones
3837
Landfill
Slo
ugh
35 54 55 80
DOC <50 mg/L
Aerobic Zone- Oxygenated RechargeSulfur Recycled, SO4
2- and Fe (III) reductionAnoxic Zone & slough discharge, Anoxic Zone, DOC >60 mg/LAnoxic groundwater, DOC >85 mg/LMethanogenic, depleted sulfate
Conceptual model of redox zones at Norman Landfill
0
5
Met
ers
0 50 100Meters
Cozzarelli et al., GSA 2000
AA’
used to Map the Biogeochemical Zones
3837
Landfill
Slo
ugh
35 54 55 80
DOC <50 mg/L
Aerobic Zone- Oxygenated RechargeSulfur Recycled, SO4
2- and Fe (III) reductionAnoxic Zone & slough discharge, Anoxic Zone, DOC >60 mg/LAnoxic groundwater, DOC >85 mg/LMethanogenic, depleted sulfate
Aerobic Zone- Oxygenated RechargeSulfur Recycled, SO4
2- and Fe (III) reductionAnoxic Zone & slough discharge, Anoxic Zone, DOC >60 mg/LAnoxic groundwater, DOC >85 mg/LMethanogenic, depleted sulfate
Conceptual model of redox zones at Norman Landfill
0
5
Met
ers
0 50 100Meters
Cozzarelli et al., GSA 2000
AA’
II. Flow Patterns and Discharge Local hydrologic boundaries can control plume paths
Norman Landfill, OKNorman Landfill, OK
Tetrachloroethene
(μg/L)
20 ft
Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD
IR image
20 ft
II. Flow Patterns and Discharge Temperature surveys to locate focused discharge
20 mCape Cod fiber optics
Cold GW discharge
Cape CodDiffusion samplerDiffusion sampler
II. Flow Patterns and Discharge Discharge can be key to understanding flow paths
MicrowellMicrowell
Cranberry bogCranberry bog
EDB plume
II. Flow Patterns and Discharge Rapid sampling methods allow plume path delineation
Cass Lake, MN
Direct-push profiles
New well clusters
Benzene plume in 2006
III. Heterogeneity and Transport Small-scale heterogeneity affects transport
Aerial View of Bemidji, MNAerial View of Bemidji, MN
Electrical resistivity tomographyElectrical resistivity tomography
III. Heterogeneity and Transport Geophysical methods to describe heterogeneity
Cape Cod
ERT wells
Injection wellInjection well
Tracer cloud
III. Heterogeneity and Transport Macrodispersion related to heterogeneity
Cape Cod Tracer Test
1 ft
2 (ln K) < 1
55
60
ZA
xis(m
)
050
X Axis (m)0
50100
150200
250
Y Axis (m)
3001005025105
Concentration(pCi/mL)
55
60
ZA
xis(m
)
0
50
X Axis (m) 0
50
100
150
200
250
Y Axis (m)
X
Y
Z
55
60
ZA
xis(m
)
0
50
X Axis (m) 0
50
100
150
200
250
Y Axis (m)
X
Y
Z
328 days
No pref. paths
Observed
12% pref. paths
Mobile domain
Immobile domain
MADE tracer tests (Zheng)
2 (ln K) > 4
III. Heterogeneity and Transport Dual domain model may be needed for high heterogeneity
IV. Future DirectionsIntegration of transport processes along entire flow path
190
190
189
188187
187
1
189
190
190
189
190
189188
185
188187
187
187
186
185
185
189
188
186
187
187
187
186
186
AngusPlaza
PlazaWell
Pine
Riv
er
Bridge
Railroad Tracks
Former Railroad Tracks
Curtis
St.
Queen St.
King Street
Simcoe St.
Cro
ss
St.
Wa t
er S
t.
DryCleanerBuilding
Nor
th
MainStudy AreaFor River
Ground elevation contour (amsl)EXPLANATION
Waterloo Profiler Location0 40 m
PCEPlume
B5B1B2
B3SC13
SC12RC12
SC11
190
175
180
185
PineRiver
Dry CleanerBuilding
(projected)
Cla
y B
erm
SoutheastNorthwest
SAND
SAND
SAND
SAND
SAND ?
?
?
?
?
?
Fill PotentiometricSurface
SAND
SAND
Elev
atio
n m
?
Angus Geologic Cross Section
?
SILT,CLAY
& PEATSAND
?
?
- 40 24020016012080400Distance m
EXPLANATIONSoil Cored IntervalWaterloo Profiler Location
SILT & CLAY AQUITARD?
Angus, Ontario, PCE plume (Conant)
Extent ofVOC Plume
cDCE614
461920
33
North
Extent ofVOC Plume
PCE
1433
15537
817
Total VOCs1479
5529 263668
34
Shore
Final Thoughts
Directions for Future Research
•
Use of geological information to define aquifer framework and fabric
•
Methods to characterize heterogeneity at relevant scales
•
Integrated effects of physical and geochemical heterogeneity
•
Interaction of ground-water flow with NAPL-contaminated zones
•
Transport in the unsaturated zone
Successful site cleanup depends on a sound conceptual model and application of basic hydrologic principles and tools
•
Inverse modeling methods as practical tools at field sites
•
Incorporation of uncertainty in the understanding of hydrologic systems
Slide Item Sources of information and images 2 MADE site, MS
NAWC site, NJ Circular 1224
Zheng, Chunmiao, 2008, Understanding solute transport in extremely heterogeneous porous media—Lessons learned from 25 years of research at the MADE site—2009 Birdsall-Dreiss Distinguished Lecturer, Geological Society of America, Hydrogeology Division: GSA Today, v. 18, no. 10, p. 14 [ftp://rock.geosociety.org/pub/GSAToday/gt0810.pdf]
U.S. Geological Survey, 2009, Geochemical and microbiological processes that
affect migration and natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents in fractured sedimentary rock—Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) Research Site, West Trenton, NJ: Accessed online December 10, 2009, at http://nj.usgs.gov/nawc/index.htm
Focazio, M.J., Reilly, T.E., Rupert, M.G., and Helsel, D.R., 2002, Assessing
ground-water vulnerability to contamination: Providing scientifically defensible information for decision makers: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1224, 33 p. [http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/2002/circ1224/]
3 Amargosa Desert site, NV Laurel Bay, SC
U.S. Geological Survey, 2009, Amargosa Desert research site: Accessed online December 10, 2009, at http://nevada.usgs.gov/adrs/
U.S. Geological Survey, 2009, Oxygenated fuel -- Laurel Bay, South Carolina site:
Accessed online December 10, 2009, at http://toxics.usgs.gov/sites/laurel_bay/laurel_page.html
4 Geologic framework, Cape Cod, MA
Masterson, J.P., Stone, B.D., Walter, D.A., and Savoie, Jennifer, 1997, Hydrogeologic framework of western Cape Cod, Massachusetts: U. S. Geological Survey Hydrologic-Investigations Atlas HA 741, 1 plate.
Slide Item Sources of information and images 5 Geological models,
Cape Cod, MA LLNL Arroyo Seco alluvial fan, CA
Masterson, J.P., Stone, B.D., Walter, D.A., and Savoie, Jennifer, 1997, Hydrogeologic framework of western Cape Cod, Massachusetts: U. S. Geological Survey Hydrologic-Investigations Atlas HA 741, 1 plate.
Walter, D.A., and LeBlanc, D.R., 2008, Use of inverse modeling methods to
improve ground-water-modeling calibration and evaluate model-prediction uncertainty, Camp Edwards, Cape Cod, Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5257, 57 p. [http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2007/5257/]
Fogg, G.E., 2002, A geologic approach to simulation of subsurface hydrology—
2002 Birdsall-Dreiss Distinguished Lecturer, Geological Society of America, Hydrogeology Division: GSA Today, v.18, no. 10, p. 14 [ftp://rock.geosociety.org/pub/GSAToday/gt0810.pdf]
Fogg, G.E., Carle, S.F., and Green, Christopher, 2000, Connected-network
paradigm for the alluvial aquifer system, in Zhang, Dongxiao, and Winter, C.L., eds., Theory, modeling, and field investigation in hydrogeology—A special volume in honor of Shlomo P. Neuman’s 60th birthday: Boulder, CO, Geological Society of America, Special Paper 348, p. 25-42.
Fogg, G.E., Noyes, C.D., and Carle, S.F., 1998, Geologically based model of
heterogeneous hydraulic conductivity in an alluvial setting: Hydrogeology Journal, v. 6, no. 1, p. 131-143.
6 Ambient noise passive seismic method Amargosa Desert site, NV
U.S. Geological Survey, 2009, Horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio seismic method technology demonstration and evaluation project: Accessed online December 10, 2009, at http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/bgas/hvseismic/
U.S. Geological Survey, 2009, Amargosa Desert research site: Accessed online
December 10, 2009, at http://nevada.usgs.gov/adrs/
7 Inverse modeling Cape Cod, MA
Walter, D.A., and LeBlanc, D.R., 2008, Use of inverse modeling methods to improve ground-water-modeling calibration and evaluate model-prediction uncertainty, Camp Edwards, Cape Cod, Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5257, 57 p. [http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2007/5257/]
Slide Item Sources of information and images 8 Norman Landfill, OK U.S. Geological Survey, 2009, Biogeochemical and geohydrologic processes in a
landfill-impacted alluvial aquifer, Norman, Oklahoma: Accessed online December 10, 2009, at http://ok.water.usgs.gov/projects/norlan/
9 Defining groundwater flow paths J-3 Range plume, Cape Cod, MA
LeBlanc, D.R., Massey, A.J., Cochrane, J.J., King, J.H., and Smith, K.P., 2008, Distribution and migration of ordnance-related compounds and oxygen and hydrogen stable isotopes in ground water near Snake Pond, Sandwich, Massachusetts, 2001-2006: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2008-5052, 19 p. [http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2008/5052/]
10 Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD Cape Cod, MA
Majcher, E.H., Phelan, D.J., Lorah, M.M., and McGinty, A.L., 2007, Characterization of preferential ground-water seepage from a chlorinated hydrocarbon-contaminated aquifer to West Branch Canal Creek, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, 2002–04: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5233, 191 p. [http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2006/5233/].
U.S. Geological Survey, 2009, Fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing
technology demonstration and evaluation project: Accessed online December 10, 2009, at http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/bgas/fiber-optics/
11 Flow patterns and discharge Cape Cod, MA
Savoie, J.G., LeBlanc, D.R., Blackwood, D.S., McCobb, T.D., Rendigs, R.R., and Clifford, Scott, 2000, Delineation of discharge areas of two contaminant plumes by use of diffusion samplers, Johns Pond, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 1998: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report WRIR 00-4017, 30 p.
12 Cass Lake, MN Herkelrath, W.N., Delin, G.N., and Cozzarelli, I.M., 2008, Using peristaltic bailing to obtain ground water samples in push probe profiling of a subsurface BTEX plume: Boulder, CO, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 2088 Annual Meeting, v. 40, no. 6, p. 343 [http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2008AM/ finalprogram/abstract_148335.htm]
U.S. Geological Survey, 2009, Cass Lake crude-oil spill: Accessed online
December 28, 2009, at http://mn.water.usgs.gov/projects/ description/8607CXW.html
13 Bemidji site, MN U.S. Geological Survey, 2009, Bemidji crude-oil research project: Accessed online December 10, 2009, at http://mn.water.usgs.gov/projects/bemidji/index.html
Slide Item Sources of information and images 14 Geophysical methods and heterogeneity
Cape Cod, MA Singha, Kamini, and Gorelick, S.M., 2005, Saline tracer visualized with three-
dimensional electrical resistivity tomography—Field-scale spatial moment analysis: Water Resources Research, v. 41, W05023, 17 p. [doi:10.1029/2004WR0034600].
Singha, Kamini, and Gorelick, S.M., 2006, Hydrogeophysical tracking of three-
dimensional tracer migration—The concept and application of apparent petrophysical relations: Water Resources Research, v. 42, W06422 [doi:10.1029/2005WR004568].
U.S. Geological Survey, 2009, Mapping aquifer heterogeneity-- Integrated analysis
of geophysical and hydraulic data at the Massachusetts Military Reservation, Cape Cod, Massachusetts: Accessed online December 11, 2009, at http://water.usgs.gov/ogw/bgas/toxics/mmr_ert.html
15 Macrodispersion and heterogeneity Cape Cod, MA
LeBlanc, D.R., Garabedian, S.P., Hess, K.M., Gelhar, L.W., Quadri, R.D., Stollenwerk, K.G., and Wood, W.W., 1991, Large-scale natural-gradient tracer test in sand and gravel, Cape Cod, Massachusetts: 1. Experimental design and observed tracer movement: Water Resources Research, v. 27, no. 5, p. 895-910.
Hess, K.M., Wolf, S.H., and Celia, M.A., 1992, Large-scale natural gradient tracer
test in sand and gravel, Cape Cod, Massachusetts: 3.Hydraulic-conductivity variability and calculated macrodispersivities: Water Resources Research, v. 28, no. 8, p. 2011-2027.
Hess, K.M., Wolf, S.H., and Celia, M.A., 1992, Large-scale natural gradient tracer
test in sand and gravel, Cape Cod, Massachusetts: 3.Hydraulic-conductivity variability and calculated macrodispersivities: Water Resources Research, v. 28, no. 8, p. 2011-2027.
U.S. Geological Survey, 2009, Cape Cod Toxic Substances Hydrology research
site: Accessed online December 10, 2009, at http://ma.water.usgs.gov/CapeCodToxics/
Slide Item Sources of information and images 16 MADE site, MS Zheng, Chunmiao, and Gorelick, S.M., Analysis of solute transport in flow fields
influenced by preferential flowpaths at the decimeter scale: Ground Water, v. 41, no. 2, p. 142-155.
Harvey, C.F., and Gorelick, S.M., 2000, Rate-limited mass transfer or
macrodispersion: Which dominates plume evolution at the Macrodispersion Experiment (MADE) site?: Water Resources Research, v. 36, no. 3, p. 637–650.
Boggs, J.M., Beard, L.M., Long, S.E., McGee, M.P., MacIntyre, W.G., Antworth,
C.P., and Stauffer, T.B., 1993, Database for the second macrodispersion experiment (MADE-2): California, Electric Power Research Institute, TR-102072.
17 Angus PCE plume, ON Conant Jr., B., Cherry, J.A., and Gillham, R.W., 2004, A PCE groundwater plume discharging to a river—Influence of the streambed and near-river zone on contaminant distributions: Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, v. 73, no. 1-4, p. 238-279.
Conant Jr., B., 2004, Delineating and quantifying ground-water discharge zones using streambed temperatures: Ground Water, v. 42, no. 2, p. 243-257.
18 Uncertainty in simulation and prediction Cape Cod, MA
Walter, D.A., and LeBlanc, D.R., 2008, Use of inverse modeling methods to improve ground-water-modeling calibration and evaluate model-prediction uncertainty, Camp Edwards, Cape Cod, Massachusetts: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5257, 57 p. [http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2007/5257/]