Modeling of an MTBE plume at Pascoag, Rhode Island

Myrttinen, Anssi; Boving, Thomas B.; Kolditz, Olaf

doi:10.1007/s00254-008-1416-8

Cited by 4 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The travel time derived from geochemical field data ( Fig. 4) was 2.8-3.4 times longer compared with the travel time estimates from the pump test (42 days), while 2.8 and 9.7 times, respectively, slower than the modeled data (17).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…The MTBE travel time was 18 days when K was 622 m/day and 221 days when K was 51 m/day. Table 4 shows that the longest travel time was calculated based on field observations, that is, the delay between the arrival of MTBE and BTEX compounds in the production well water (up to 145 days), whereas the shortest travel time (15 days) was based on the flow and transport model by (17). The travel time derived from geochemical field data ( Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, reports by the state's health department and the department of environmental management have been utilized. Hydraulic and transport modeling of site data using the GeoSys/ Rockflow model and a two-dimensional flow domain was published by (17).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Average porosity was n = 0.39, which is within the range of stratified glacial deposit values reported by others (28). The f oc of the aquifer matrix at the study site was 0.01% by weight and was the same value used in a prior modeling study by (17).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Forensic Analysis of MTBE Contamination Using Basic Hydrogeologic Concepts

Boving

2014

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Contamination of groundwater with petroleum hydrocarbons and additives, such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), is often linked to the leaking product distribution system of gas stations. In very few cases is it know if and when a leak occurred and how much product was released to the environment. In the absence of direct evidence, a careful analysis of the available data, such as contaminant breakthrough at receptor wells or discrepancies in the product inventory data, may provide evidence about the nature of the release, its timing and magnitude. Using a MTBE contamination site in the formerly glaciated New England region as an example, two possible release scenarios (slow, long-term release vs. spill) were examined. Of the two scenarios, the slow release could be ruled out as the sole source even though there was no direct evidence for a spill. The analysis of hydraulic test results together with chemical data further permitted to estimate when such an undocumented spill might have occurred. Analyses of the data also allowed these results to be compared to that of a prior transport and fate modeling study. Good agreement and consistency for contaminant travel times was confirmed. This forensic analysis demonstrates that applying basic hydrogeologic principles can aide in the reconstruction of contamination events while providing more readily understandable and defendable evidence relative to complex models. Conceptually, the approach described herein is transferable to other sites with similar hydrogeologies.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 74%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Forensic Analysis of MTBE Contamination Using Basic Hydrogeologic Concepts

Boving

2014

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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“…It was concluded that natural attenuation is an acceptable technology for remediating several benzene contaminated sites. Myrttinen et al (2009) developed a numerical groundwater flow and mass transport model to predict the extent of impact from methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) release on a down-gradient drinking water well field in Pascoag, Rhode Island. By comparing the simulated results with observed field data, it was found that the model could provide reliable results even when the simulated aquifer was simplified to a 2D flow and transport domain.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling in situ benzene bioremediation in the contaminated Liwa aquifer (UAE) using the slow-release oxygen source technique

Mohamed

Saleh²,

Sherif

2010

Environ Earth Sci

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Dissolved benzene was detected in the shallow unconfined Liwa aquifer, UAE, which represents the main freshwater source for the nearby residence Bu Hasa camp area. The main source of this contamination is believed to be the rejected water released from Bu Hasa liquid recovery plant. In this paper, a finite element model (METABIOTRANS) is used to simulate the fate and transport of the dissolved benzene plume in Liwa aquifer. Different remediation scenarios were simulated in which the slow-release oxygen source (SOS) technique is utilized to minimize benzene concentrations at the nearest camp supply wells downstream of the contamination zone. Results of the remediation scenarios show that the highest biodegradation rates occur when the oxygen source is placed near the plume center; where higher benzene concentrations exist. The nearest oxygen release source to the contamination zone caused higher stimulation to bacterial growth than further down-gradient oxygen sources. It also exhibited longer resident time of oxygen in the aquifer; and therefore, yielded higher reductions in benzene concentrations. However, using one central SOS proved to be insufficient as contaminant escaped laterally. Additional four transverse oxygen sources were necessary to capture benzene that laterally spread away from the contamination zone. These lateral SOSs were essential to reduce benzene concentrations at the supply wells that are located at the plume fringes. Finally, it was found that increasing oxygen release from one source did not always improve remediation; and that using several SOSs with lower release rates could be a more practical approach to enhance benzene biodegradation in the aquifer.

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Exceptionally Long MTBE Plumes of the Past Have Greatly Diminished

McDade¹,

Connor

Paquette

et al. 2015

Groundwater

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Studies published in the late 1990s and early 2000s identified the presence of exceptionally long methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) plumes (more than 600 m or 2000 feet) in groundwater and have been cited in technical literature as characteristic of MTBE plumes. However, the scientific literature is incomplete in regard to the subsequent behavior and fate of these MTBE plumes over the past decade. To address this gap, this issue paper compiles recent groundwater monitoring records for nine exceptional plumes that were identified in prior studies. These nine sites exhibited maximum historical MTBE groundwater plume lengths ranging from 820 m (2700 feet) to 3200 m (10,500 feet) in length, exceeding the lengths of 99% of MTBE plumes, as characterized in multiple surveys at underground storage tank sites across the United States. Groundwater monitoring data compiled in our review demonstrate that these MTBE plumes have decreased in length over the past decade, with five of the nine plumes exhibiting decreases of 75% or more compared to their historical maximum lengths. MTBE concentrations within these plumes have decreased by 93% to 100%, with two of the nine sites showing significant decreases (98% and 99%) such that the regulatory authority has subsequently designated the site as requiring no further action.

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Modeling of an MTBE plume at Pascoag, Rhode Island

Cited by 4 publications

References 15 publications

Forensic Analysis of MTBE Contamination Using Basic Hydrogeologic Concepts

Forensic Analysis of MTBE Contamination Using Basic Hydrogeologic Concepts

Modeling in situ benzene bioremediation in the contaminated Liwa aquifer (UAE) using the slow-release oxygen source technique

Exceptionally Long MTBE Plumes of the Past Have Greatly Diminished

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