Monitored Natural Attenuation of Explosives in Groundwater - Environmental Security Technology Certification Program Completion Report
Monitored Natural Attenuation of Explosives in Groundwater - Environmental Security Technology Certification Program Completion Report

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Published: 1999

Total Pages: 0

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Natural attenuation as a remedial alternative may be appropriate where natural processes are sufficient to protect receptors of concern. The objectives of this project were to demonstrate natural attenuation of explosives at an Army site, optimize groundwater-monitoring procedures to generate reliable trends in explosives concentrations over time, evaluate the significance of site capacity on the ultimate fate and transport at the site, apply biomarkers as monitoring tools, use models for contaminant plume definition and predictions of future contaminant extent, and develop a protocol for selection and implementation of monitored natural attenuation of explosives. The field demonstration was conducted at the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant and validated at Joliet Army Ammunition Plant. The demonstration included groundwater monitoring and modeling, a cone penetrometry sampling event to characterize site lithology and to obtain sample material for other parts of the study. Results confirmed a declining mass of explosives in groundwater over 2 years. The groundwater model predicted a shrinking plume over 20 years. Costs for monitored natural attenuation were significantly less than costs for pump-and-treat remediation and somewhat less than costs of in situ bioremediation with intervention. Results demonstrated that natural attenuation is a viable option that should be among the options considered for remediation of explosives-contaminated sites.

Monitored Natural Attenuation of Explosives in Groundwater: Cost and Performance
Monitored Natural Attenuation of Explosives in Groundwater: Cost and Performance

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Publisher:

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 26

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Monitored natural attenuation (MNA) is a remedial alternative for explosives-contaminated groundwater at sites where a decline in contaminant mass can be demonstrated to occur at a rate sufficient to ensure the protection of potential receptors MNA is not a "no-action" alternative, but requires careful characterization of the site hydrogeology and contaminant distribution, long-term monitoring of groundwater, and groundwater modeling to conceptualize the contaminant plume and to predict future migration and attenuation MNA in the context of the demonstration described herein does not include intervention to promote natural processes Demonstrating that MNA is a viable remedial alternative requires gathering a "weight of evidence" that natural processes are sufficient to protect receptors of concern within a reasonable time frame. Explosives are subject to several attenuation mechanisms that effectively reduce concentrations in natural systems. Some of these processes have been defined, while other are poorly understood. MNA relies upon quality site characterization data, carefully conducted long-term monitoring, and groundwater modeling for contaminant conceptualization and long-term predictions of contaminant fate.

Natural Attenuation of Explosives in Soil and Water Systems at Department of Defense Sites
Natural Attenuation of Explosives in Soil and Water Systems at Department of Defense Sites

Author: Judith Pennington

Publisher:

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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Natural attenuation as a remedial alternative may be appropriate where natural processes are sufficient to protect receptors of concern. The objectives of this project were to demonstrate natural attenuation of explosives at an Army site, optimize groundwater monitoring procedures to generate reliable trends in explosives concentrations over time, evaluate the significance of site capacity on the ultimate fate and transport at the site, apply biomarkers and stable isotopes as monitoring tools, use models for contaminant plume definition and predictions of future contaminant extent, and develop a protocol for selection and implementation of natural attenuation of explosives. The field demonstration was conducted at the Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant and validated at Joliet Army Ammunition Plant. The demonstration included groundwater monitoring and modeling, a cone penetrometry sampling event to characterize site lithology and to obtain sample material for other parts of the study. Results demonstrated declining concentrations of explosives in groundwater over 2 years. The model predicted a shrinking plume over 20 years. Biomarkers demonstrated the microbial degradation potential of RDX and TNT in aquifer soils. Results demonstrated that natural attenuation is a viable option that should be among the options considered for remediation of explosives-contaminated sites.

Natural Attenuation of Explosives in Groundwater at Army Sites
Natural Attenuation of Explosives in Groundwater at Army Sites

Author: Judith C. Pennington

Publisher:

Published: 1996

Total Pages: 5

ISBN-13:

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Cleanup of groundwater contaminated with explosives can be prohibitively expensive. Achieving regulatory limits when concentrations reach low levels is often especially difficult. Natural attenuation may be an attractive alternative to available remediation technologies at sites that meet well-defined selection criteria, acceptable risk levels, and that satisfy specific regulatory concerns. The objectives of this project are to demonstrate that attenuation of explosives can be established through appropriate site monitoring, to develop guidance for selection of natural attenuation as a remediation alternative, and to develop a protocol for establishing a site monitoring plan and point(s) of compliance. The protocol for implementation of natural attenuation will be developed from data gathered from at least one site exhibiting explosives contaminated groundwater. An initial data gathering step will include a synthesis of what is known concerning degradation processes, contaminant transport and site geology/hydrology. Existing data will be supplemented by appropriate field investigations. The final protocol will describe selection criteria and considerations, an approach to site characterization and monitoring, parameters to assay and analytical methods, and establishment of points of compliance.

Natural Attentuation of Explosives in Groundwater
Natural Attentuation of Explosives in Groundwater

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 37

ISBN-13:

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Monitored natural attenuation (MNA) is a remedial alternative for explosives contaminated groundwater at sites where a decline in contaminant mass can be demonstrated to occur at a rate sufficient to ensure the protection of potential receptors. MNA is not a no action alternative, but requires careful characterization of the site hydrogeology and contaminant distribution, long-term monitoring of groundwater, and groundwater modeling to conceptualize the contaminant plume and to predict future migration and attenuation. MNA in the context of the demonstration described here does not include intervention to promote natural processes.