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EVALUATING MONITORED NATURAL ATTENUATION FOR RADIONUCLIDE & ORGANIC CONTAMINATION IN GROUNDWATER (SALT LAKE CITY, UT)
Citation:
FORD, R. G., R. T. WILKIN, R. PULS, K. LOVELACE, R. WILHELM, AND S. WALKER. EVALUATING MONITORED NATURAL ATTENUATION FOR RADIONUCLIDE & ORGANIC CONTAMINATION IN GROUNDWATER (SALT LAKE CITY, UT). Presented at Superfund National Radiation Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, February 04 - 10, 2006.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public.
Description:
Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) for radionuclides and inorganic contaminants is dependent on naturally occurring processes in the subsurface that act without human intervention to reduce the mass, toxicity, mobility, volume or concentration of contaminants. EPA is developing a framework document for the regulated community to utilize MNA as a groundwater remedy based on the previous definition. EPA’s focus will be on groundwater; the unsaturated zone will be treated as a source term. A tiered MNA decision approach will be used that is dependent on the following mechanisms: (1) the ability to demonstrate removal from groundwater, (2) identify mechanism(s) of removal, (3) demonstrate long-term capacity and stability, (4) design a monitoring program, (5) define regulatory points for failure, and (6) establish a contingency plan. Frequently occurring radionuclides and inorganic contaminants that represent as many fate and transport situations as possible will be included. The document structure will contain two parts: The first part will focus on EPA science policy, scientific basis, and a framework for technical assessment of radionuclides and inorganics for MNA. The second part will place a strong emphasis on site characterization, hydrology and chemistry. Specific radionuclide and inorganic element sections will address: occurrence and distribution, geochemistry and attenuation processes, radioactive decay, and site characterization in a tiered analysis with regulatory aspects. Presently, this effort is underway with an estimated completion in FY 05. EPA’s Office of Research and Development is the lead Office with the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response and the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air providing review, support, and information.