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Monitored Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Solvent Plumes
Citation:
WILSON, J. T. Monitored Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Solvent Plumes. 1st Edition, Chapter 11, H.F. Stroo and C.H. Ward (ed.), In Situ Remediation of Chlorinated Solvent Plumes, ISBN9781441914002. Springer Science + Business Media, New York, NY, , p.325-355, (2010).
Impact/Purpose:
Book Chapter “Monitored Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Solvent Plumes,” for SERDP and ESTCP Remediation Technology Monograph Series
Description:
The chapter provides a synopsis of current applications of monitored natural attenuation (MNA) as a remedy at hazardous waste sites, and reviews the expectations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for MNA as a remedy. It provides a detailed case study of the application of MNA for the large plumes of chlorinated solvents that left the boundary of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Minnesota. The remedy combined use of active pump-and treat-at the source of contamination and MNA for the plume that moved off the Plant boundary. The chapter reviews the molecular biological tools that are available to predict biodegradation of chlorinated solvents. One tool that finds widespread application is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for DNA that codes or the 16S RNA component of ribosomes. The assay can recognize DNA for strains of Dehalococcoides bacteria which are capable of complete anaerobic degradation of trichloroethene. The chapter compares the density of Dehalococcoides bacteria in ground water as determined by the PCR assay to the achieved rate of MNA at field scale. The chapter considers the statistical correlation between biogeochemical parameters in ground water and the occurrence of Dehalococcoides bacteria. Finally, the chapter evaluates the use of compound specific analysis of stable isotopes to recognize natural biodegradation, and suggests use of this the approach to distinguish plumes where natural attenuation of TCE has truly stalled at cis-DCE from plumes that further degrade cis-DCE, but degrade it through a pathway that does not involve vinyl chloride, or ethylene or ethane. The USEPA through its Office of Research and Development conducted the research described here under in-house task 3674 (MNA of Chlorinated Solvents). It has been subjected to agency review and approved for publication.
