Strategies for Addressing Groundwater Contamination
This session shares examples of successful implementation of higher-resolution sampling methods and flux-based perspectives for deep groundwater investigations. The key to the approach is integration of new soil, rock and groundwater sampling methods with classical geological interpretations based on geophysics and hydrostratigraphy tools. The goal is to develop three-dimensional conceptual models that identify and distinguish the permeable transport zones from less permeable storage zones. Emphasis is placed on collecting data that will enable assessment of the interaction between the transport and storage zones. The advantage of this approach is that mass flux can be mapped can be classified and mapped even in deep groundwater plumes. The resulting return on investigation is achieved through quantitative conceptual site models that enable better remedial decision making and lead to reduction in risk and total life cycle costs.