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Characterizing Groundwater - Surface Water Interactions
Citation:
Ford, R. Characterizing Groundwater - Surface Water Interactions. 2019 USEPA Ground Water Forum Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, August 06 - 08, 2019.
Impact/Purpose:
This presentation summarizes recent advances for characterizing the extent of contaminated groundwater impacts to surface water bodies. Case study examples will be used to illustrate a range of cost-effective methods to define the connection between contaminated upland groundwater and observed impacts in an adjacent surface water body. The information derived from implementing these site characterization methods is needed to support selection, design, and monitor performance of remediation efforts. The presentation content will be useful to project managers and technical staff from USEPA Regions, State Environmental Agencies, and Remediation Contractors involved with cleanup of 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 remedy design and performance monitoring is best achieved by developing knowledge of the potential extent and magnitude of contaminated groundwater discharge into the surface water body. The goal of the characterization effort should be to integrate observations at the surface water body and the upland, contaminated groundwater system to differentiate between the influence of the plume and/or remediation system versus external factors within the watershed. Through field-based research, EPA/ORD has developed several approaches to more reliably characterize system hydrology and assess contaminant flux. Case study examples will be used to highlight approaches to improve understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of contaminant transport across the groundwater-surface water transition zone.