Hydrogeochemical analysis of a contaminated industrial site
Document Type Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Groundwater pollution is an increasing concern in many areas of country. Many site-specific studies are conducted in response to this concern to gain a better understanding of hydrogeochemical systems. This study investigates an industrial site in mid-coast Maine that has a history of contamination. Simple flow calculations and mass transport calculations in combination with numerical, modeling in Modflow (R) will provide a comprehensive hydrogeochemical characterization of the site. Simple flow calculations indicate flux values for each unit. Water-quality data showed detection of arsenic, 1,1,1 trichloroethane, hexachlorobenzene, and pentachlorophenol at levels above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's maximum contamination limits (MCLs) in several of the six monitoring wells instaIled in the site. Mass transport calculations indicate that despite retardation, the 1,1,1 trichloroethane moves through all layers at a rate that is two orders of magnitude higher than any of the other contaminants. Numerical modeling of the site provides support for these calculations. I will make recommendations, based on this study for remediation and further study in the area.