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GW/SW Interactions: Developing Conceptual Site Models of Organism Exposures
Citation:
Ford, R. GW/SW Interactions: Developing Conceptual Site Models of Organism Exposures. GW/SW Interactions: Developing Conceptual Site Models of Organism Exposures in Hyporheic Systems, Seattle, Washington, November 16, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
This presentation summarizes the approach for developing an effective conceptual site model (CSM) for addressing contaminated site characterization and restoration when contaminated groundwater impacts surface water ecosystems. Key factors that must be addressed during CSM developed are described and resources available to facilitate the work are outlined. The presentation content will be useful to project managers and technical staff from USEPA Regions, State Environmental Agencies, and Remediation Contractors involved with cleanup and redevelopment at hazardous waste sites.
Description:
Surface water bodies adjacent to sites with contaminated groundwater may receive impacts that impair otherwise functional ecosystems and create new exposure pathways, increasing human health risks. Optimizing site characterization protocols to improve the remedy design effort is best achieved by developing knowledge of the potential extent and magnitude of contaminated groundwater discharge in the the surface water body. Development and refinement of a Conceptual Site Model (CSM) that effectively maps out the factors controlling contaminant transport and exposure impacts provides a critical management tool for data acquisition, interpretation, and application to remedy design and performance evaluation. The presentation addresses factors unique to the GW/SW transition zone.