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Environmental Research In Practice: Restoration And Protection Of Water Resources
Citation:
FORD, R. G. Environmental Research In Practice: Restoration And Protection Of Water Resources. Presented at Alan W. Elzerman Seminar Series, Dept. Of Environmental Engineering And Earth Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, April 10, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
To illustrate the complexity encountered at historically contaminated sites and the potential importance of interactions between surface water bodies and the adjacent aquifer on contaminant transport and the selection of possible remedies.
Description:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is tasked to protect human health and the environment. To carry out this task, the EPA makes use of technical expertise within its Office of Research and Development. Restoration and protection of water resources is one area of technical expertise. In the United States, our water resources are derived from surface sources, such as lakes or rivers, and ground water. There is often a direct hydraulic connection between surface water bodies and the adjacent groundwater aquifer. This connection facilitates the transfer of contaminants between ground water and surface water and can influence the distribution of geochemical characteristics that influence contaminant transport. This factor needs to be considered in assessing the characteristics of a contaminated hydrologic system and the steps taken to achieve its restoration. Two case studies will be provided to illustrate the complexity encountered at historically contaminated sites and the potential importance of interactions between surface water bodies and the adjacent aquifer on contaminant transport and the selection of possible remedies. This is an abstract of a propsed presentation and does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.