Grantee Research Project Results
Validating methods to measure, optimize and model the behavior of infiltration-based BMPs in groundwater recharge and potential impact on groundwater quality
EPA Grant Number: R840616Title: Validating methods to measure, optimize and model the behavior of infiltration-based BMPs in groundwater recharge and potential impact on groundwater quality
Investigators: Kouwonou, Yao , Ly, Jackie , Ulrich, Craig , Uhlemann, Sebastian , Wessel, Chris , Fassman-Beck, Elizabeth , Massoudieh, Arash
Current Investigators: Kouwonou, Yao , Ly, Jackie , Ulrich, Craig , Uhlemann, Sebastian , Wessel, Chris , Fassman-Beck, Elizabeth , Massoudieh, Arash , Hala, Keith , Batarseh, Daniel , Xin, Danhui
Institution: Los Angeles County Public Works , Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Geosyntec Consultants , Catholic University of America , Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority
EPA Project Officer: Harper, Jacquelyn
Project Period: August 1, 2023 through April 25, 2025
Project Amount: $2,000,000
RFA: Enhanced Aquifer Recharge Performance and Potential Risk in Different Regional and Hydrogeologic Settings Request For Applications (RFA) (2023) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Aquifer , Aquifer Recharge , Clean Water , Endocrine Disruptors
Description:
The project will test two research hypotheses: (H1) The effectiveness of urban stormwater best management practice (BMPs) in EAR is influenced by lateral exfiltration of stormwater runoff coupled with vadose zone stratification; (H2) Lateral flow from BMPs limits pollutant transport from runoff into groundwater.
Objective:
Three objectives will be pursued to test the hypotheses: (O1) Develop a transferable investigative approach using geophysical methods, borings, and hydrological sensors to accurately characterize fastpath flow zones, monitor subsurface fluid movement and BMP exfiltration performance, and quantify soil hydrological properties; (O2) Monitor the migration of stormwater pollutants from the BMP via the identified soil fastpaths to understand the role of vadose zone characteristics on pollutant transport. Data will be used to develop an initial assessment as to whether stormwater pollutants pose a hazard to human health via groundwater contamination;(O3) Incorporate empirical data from the field monitoring to advance the OpenHydroQual infiltration model to determine deep percolation rates and predict pollutant transport, with the larger goal of using the calibrated model to explore the long-term, regional potential for groundwater recharge through urban BMPs.
Approach:
Extensive field scale investigation will collect data from two BMPs in urban Los Angeles, which support empirical analysis for O1 and O2, which subsequently support 2-D and 3-D model development and calibration in O3. Data to support O1 will include integrated time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) along with vadose zone soil moisture, hydraulic conductivity, and temperature data to image and quantify spatially heterogeneous water exfiltration patterns from BMPs. Data to support O2 include water quality sampling and flow measurement of runoff to quantify mass loads and temporal variation of nitrate, dissolved zinc and copper, and PFAS entering the BMP, exfiltrating from the BMP, and along vadose zone fastpaths. Results of O1 and O3 will be used to test H1, while results of O1-O3 will be used to test H2.
Supplemental Keywords:
geophysics, hydrology, geochemistry, subsurface, heterogeneity, hydraulic conductivity, biodegradation, natural attenuation, electrical resistivity tomography, measurement methods, modeling, uncertainty, decision making, urban managed aquifer recharge, bioswale, drywell, infiltration gallery, urban runoff, BMPProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.