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THE DNAPL REMEDIATION CHALLENGE: IS THERE A CASE FOR SOURCE DEPLETION?
Citation:
Kavanaugh, M. C., P. S. Rao, AND A L. Wood*. THE DNAPL REMEDIATION CHALLENGE: IS THERE A CASE FOR SOURCE DEPLETION? U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/R-03/143, 2003.
Impact/Purpose:
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Description:
Releases of Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPLs) at a large number of public and private sector sites in the United States pose significant challenges in site remediation and long-term site management. Extensive contamination of groundwater occurs as a result of significant dissolved plumes generated from these DNAPL source zones that vary in size and complexity depending on site characteristics and DNAPL properties and distribution. Risk and liability management, consistent with regulatory compliance requirements, could involve remediation of the source zone as well as management of the dissolved plume. As the continued annual costs and uncertainties associated with long-term management of DNAPL sites become more apparent, a reassessment of the factors controlling decisions on whether to implement DNAPL source depletion actions is needed. To address this need, the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) assembled an Expert Panel of national and international scientists and practitioners. The Panel was asked to provide an assessment of: 1) the status of technology development and deployment for DNAPL source remediation, 2) source remediation performance goals and metrics, 3) costs and benefits of source remediation and 4) DNAPL remediation research issues and needs. The report contains the findings and recommendations of the Panel.