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Remediation Evaluation Model for Chlorinated Solvents (REMChlor)
Citation:
Falta, R. W., M. B. Stacy, W. M. Ahsanuzzaman, AND R. C. Earle. Remediation Evaluation Model for Chlorinated Solvents (REMChlor). EPA/600/C-08/001, 2007.
Impact/Purpose:
To provide information on a new analytical solution that has been developed for simulating the transient effects of groundwater source and plume remediation.
Description:
A new analytical solution has been developed for simulating the transient effects of groundwater source and plume remediation. This development was performed as part of a Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) research project, which was a joint effort between the US EPA, Clemson University, Purdue University, the University of Florida, and the Air Force Institute of Technology, focused on defining the benefits of partial DNAPL source remediation. The analytical model is called REMChlor (for Remediation Evaluation Model for Chlorinated Solvents). In the new analytical method, the contaminant source model is based on a power function relationship between source mass and source discharge, and it can consider partial source remediation at any time after the initial release. The source model serves as a time-dependent mass flux boundary condition to the analytical plume model, where flow is assumed to be one-dimensional. The plume model simulates first order sequential decay and production of several species, and the decay rates and parent/daughter yield coefficients are variable functions of time and distance. This approach allows for flexible simulation of enhanced plume degradation that may be temporary in time, limited in space, and which may have different effects on different contaminant species in the decay chain. Cancer risks posed by carcinogenic species in the plume are calculated assuming that the contaminated water is used in a house for drinking, bathing, and other household uses. The Center for Subsurface Modeling Support (CSMoS) at EPA has developed a Graphical User Interface (GUI), for REMChlor that will allow the user to quickly and easily evaluate the balance of DNAPL source remediation, plume remediation, and natural attenuation. The GUI consists of a user-friendly, visually intuitive model parameter data entry screen, and a variety of quick and powerful ways of displaying the resulting model output. The primary objective of the REMChlor GUI is to simplify model data input, and viewing/interpreting model data output. The GUI is written in Visual Basic. It will compile the model input file, run the input file through the FORTRAN model code, and provide a seamless way of working with the resulting output data files.