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Best Practices for Environmental Site Management: A Practical Guide for Applying Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy to Improve Conceptual Site Models
Citation:
Shultz, M., R. Cramer, C. Plank, H. Levine, AND K. Ehman. Best Practices for Environmental Site Management: A Practical Guide for Applying Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy to Improve Conceptual Site Models. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-17/293, 2017.
Impact/Purpose:
Presented here is a practical guide on the application of the geologic principles of sequence stratigraphy and facies models to the characterization of stratigraphic heterogeneity at hazardous waste sites. This technology is applicable to sites underlain by clastic aquifers (intermixed gravels/sands/silts/clays). The scientific principles and methods presented in this document will help to bring clarity to the challenges posed by stratigraphic heterogeneity at complex sites thereby facilitating site management strategies. These methods can be applied to both new site investigations as well as reviewing existing site data and updating the Conceptual Site Model (CSM). High resolution site characterization (HRSC) is EPA’s preferred approach for characterizing sites and developing a detailed CSM. The application of Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy (ESS) allows the practitioner to place high resolution data and other environmental subsurface data in a geologic and hydrogeologic context. This advanced geologic approach evaluates the detailed site information in the context of the site’s geologic depositional and erosional history. Application of ESS benefits groundwater remediation projects by improving the ability to: 1. define groundwater flow paths and preferential contaminant migration pathways; 2. map and predict contaminant mass transport and storage zones; 3. identify data gaps to conduct high resolution site characterization, 4. determine appropriate locations for monitoring and remediation wells; 5. determine appropriate well construction design (e.g., screened intervals); and 6. improve efficiency of remediating and monitoring contaminated groundwater.
Description:
Presented here is a practical guide on the application of the geologic principles of sequence stratigraphy and facies models to the characterization of stratigraphic heterogeneity at hazardous waste sites. This technology is applicable to sites underlain by clastic aquifers (intermixed gravels/sands/silts/clays). The scientific principles and methods presented in this document will help to bring clarity to the challenges posed by stratigraphic heterogeneity at complex sites thereby facilitating site management strategies. These methods can be applied to both new site investigations as well as reviewing existing site data and updating the Conceptual Site Model (CSM). High resolution site characterization (HRSC) is EPA’s preferred approach for characterizing sites and developing a detailed CSM. The application of Environmental Sequence Stratigraphy (ESS) allows the practitioner to place high resolution data and other environmental subsurface data in a geologic and hydrogeologic context. This advanced geologic approach evaluates the detailed site information in the context of the site’s geologic depositional and erosional history. Application of ESS benefits groundwater remediation projects by improving the ability to: 1. define groundwater flow paths and preferential contaminant migration pathways; 2. map and predict contaminant mass transport and storage zones; 3. identify data gaps to conduct high resolution site characterization, 4. determine appropriate locations for monitoring and remediation wells; 5. determine appropriate well construction design (e.g., screened intervals); and 6. improve efficiency of remediating and monitoring contaminated groundwater.