Work Plan for a Demonstration of Remediation by Natural Attenuation for Groundwater at OU 4

Abstract

This work plan (WP) was prepared by Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. (Parsons ES) to define the scope of work and procedures required to evaluate remediation by natural attenuation (RNA) of groundwater contaminated with chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) at Operable Unit 4 (OU 4), Hill Air Force Base (AFB), Utah. To this end, this work plan presents a preliminary conceptual model based on available data, and provides suggested protocols to fill the identified data gaps necessary to develop a more thorough conceptual model of groundwater flow and RNA at OU 4. The CAH plume covers an area of about 60 acres of which approximately 45 acres are off-base. Landfills have been identified as the primary source of the groundwater contamination. Trichloroethene (TCE) is the primary CAll contaminant. Leachate from the landfills has migrated into shallow groundwater and has been transported under the influence of steep hydraulic gradients to hillside discharge points. For the purposes of this WP, RNA is defined as a management strategy that relies on natural attenuation mechanisms to bring about a reduction in the total mass of contaminants dissolved in groundwater, and to control receptor exposure risks associated with this contamination. Natural attenuation is defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Offices of Research and Development (ORD) and Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER), as follows: The biodegradation, dispersion, sorption, volatilization, and/or chemical and biochemical stabilization of contaminants to effectively reduce contaminant toxicity, mobility, or volume to levels that are protective ofhuman health and the ecosystem. As suggested by this definition, there are destrnctive and non-destmctive mechanisms of natural attenuation. Of these processes, biodegradation is the only mechanism working to transform contaminants into innocuous by

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1997
Accession Number
ADA384264

Entities

Organizations

  • Parsons Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Alkenes
  • Chemical Analysis
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Detection
  • Drinking Water
  • Ecology
  • Environment
  • Environmental Protection
  • Groundwater
  • Measurement
  • Microorganisms
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Organic Compounds
  • Test Methods
  • Water Resources

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Proposed Air Force Base Actions.
  • Groundwater Contamination Remediation.