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Impacts of Source Zone Remediation
Research Advisor: Lynn Wood, Ph.D.(580)436-8552 email Wood.Lynn@epa.gov
Recent field-scale research has demonstrated that dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPL) can be removed from source zones by implementing several aggressive in-situ technologies, such as alcohol or surfactant flushing or steam flooding. These studies have shown that while a significant fraction of the DNAPL mass can be efficiently removed in a short period, the efficiency of mass extraction decays exponentially as mass is removed. Thus, it may be neither practical nor economically feasible to remove all DNAPL mass from the source zone. Research is in progress to determine the maximum amount of contaminant mass that can be left in the source zone while being protective of human health and the environment. Data from selected source zone remediation field tests are being used to evaluate the ability of selected numerical simulators to realistically forecast the performance of a remedial activity. These source zone models will provide input to dissolved-plume models that predict the natural or enhanced attenuation expected within the plume. Laboratory studies will supplement existing field data in order to assess the relationship between mass removal and resultant contaminant flux from the source area for a broad range of hydrogeological conditions.