Treatability Study in Support of the Intrinsic Remediation Option at the Christmas Tree Fire Training Area at Westover Air Reserve Base Chicopee, Massachusetts
Abstract
Intrinsic remediation is an innovative remedial approach that relies on natural attenuation to remediate contaminants dissolved in groundwater. Mechanisms for natural attenuation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) include biodegradation, advection, dispersion, dilution froin recharge, sorption, and volatilization. Of these processes, biodegradation is the only mechanism working to transform contaminants into innocuous byproducts. Intrinsic bioremediation occurs when indigenous microorganisms work to bring about a reduction in the total mass of contamination in the subsurface without the addition of nutrients. Patterns and rates of intrinsic remediation can vary markedly from site to site depending on governing physical and chemical processes. The main emphasis of the work described herein was to evaluate if natural attenuation mechanisms would be sufficient to reduce concentrations of dissolved fuel- related compounds in groundwater to levels that meet federal and state groundwater protection standards. The potential for these mechanisms to effectively reduce the concentrations of chlorinated solvents at the site, which is ancillary to the scope of this program, also was qualitatively considered. This study is not intended to be contaminant assessment report, a remedial action options evaluation, or a remedial action plan; rather, it is provided for the use of the Base and its prime environmental contractor(s) as information to be used for future decision making regarding this site.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA343849
Entities
Organizations
- Parsons Corporation