Contaminant source and release history identification in groundwater: A multi-step approach

• Published in: Journal of contaminant hydrology 2014-02, Vol.157, p.59-72
• Main Authors: Gzyl, G., Zanini, A., Frączek, R., Kura, K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical Industry; Contaminants; Contamination; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; FOKS; Geostatistics; Groundwater; Groundwater - analysis; Hydrogeology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Industrial Waste; Insecticides - analysis; Integral pumping test; Lindane - analysis; Models, Theoretical; Poland; Pollution sources; Reclamation; Rivers; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
• ISSN: 0169-7722; 1873-6009
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2013.11.006

The paper presents a new multi-step approach aiming at source identification and release history estimation. The new approach consists of three steps: performing integral pumping tests, identifying sources, and recovering the release history by means of a geostatistical approach. The present paper shows the results obtained from the application of the approach within a complex case study in Poland in which several areal sources were identified. The investigated site is situated in the vicinity of a former chemical plant in southern Poland in the city of Jaworzno in the valley of the Wąwolnica River; the plant has been in operation since the First World War producing various chemicals. From an environmental point of view the most relevant activity was the production of pesticides, especially lindane. The application of the multi-step approach enabled a significant increase in the knowledge of contamination at the site. Some suspected contamination sources have been proven to have minor effect on the overall contamination. Other suspected sources have been proven to have key significance. Some areas not taken into consideration previously have now been identified as key sources. The method also enabled estimation of the magnitude of the sources and, a list of the priority reclamation actions will be drawn as a result. The multi-step approach has proven to be effective and may be applied to other complicated contamination cases. Moreover, the paper shows the capability of the geostatistical approach to manage a complex real case study. •A new approach to estimate source location and release history in GW is presented.•The method has been tested within a complex case study.•Integral pumping tests have been performed.•Numerical flow and transport model of the aquifer has been set up.