Modeling of a Contaminant Plume in a Tidally Influenced River Using Domenico’s Equation

Abstract

Currently, the mathematical code Modflow is widely used to simulate groundwater flow in aquifers. Due to the ease which exists today to create mathematical models through Modflow visual Interfaces, it is possible to obtain contaminant transport results which may not have much support, especially when simulating the transport of contaminants with little groundwater flow information. Domenico's equation is an analytical solution for transport of contaminants in groundwater that can be used when not much groundwater flow information exists. The objective of this study is to model, using Domenico's equation, a groundwater contaminant plume that discharges into a tidally influenced river. The study area was a wood treatment facility located on the bank of a river which is influenced by tides. Previous studies have found the presence of creosote in the subsurface and the formation of a groundwater plume that apparently discharges into the river. Domenico's equation was selected to model this site because of the limited piezometric data available at the site to properly simulate the daily hydraulic gradient inversion due to the river tides. Domenico's equation was successfully used to model this plume and reproduce the field distribution of naphthalene, benzene and 1methyl-naphthalene. Two sources 40 m inland had to be defined to properly simulate the plume behavior. It was determined through modeling that biodegradation plays an important role on the plume's behavior. These were key issues in the conceptual model understanding of the plume at this site.

Screening tool to evaluate the vulnerability of down-gradient receptors to groundwater contaminants from uncapped landfills

“…The Domenico approach has been applied successfully to simulate groundwater-contaminant transport for other purposes, such as assessment of the role played by biodegradation of hydrocarbons in a contaminant plume that affected a tidal river (Lesser-Carrillo, 2013), and as a screening model to estimate the maximum extent of benzene, toluene and xylene plumes (McAllister, 1996).…”

<sup>13</sup>C/<sup>12</sup>C Isotope Fractionation during Aerobic and Anaerobic Biodegradation of Naphthalene

“…Sampling of soil and groundwater for microcosms were collected and preserved as described by Lesser (2013) [26]. Table 1, which includes the characteristics and time of sampling for each microcosm.…”

Uncertainty Analysis of Contaminant Transportation Through Ground Water Using Fuzzy-Stochastic Response Surface

“…Contaminant concentration estimation at a distance from source has been calculated using analytical solution of transient advection and diffusion equation. Analytical solution as derived by Domenico is used for estimation of contaminant concentration [11]. Two parameters, i.e., hydraulic conductivity and weighting factor for longitudinal dispersivity are considered as uncertain due to their randomness and fuzziness.…”