Impacts of Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on Aquifer Remediation Design
Publication: Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 130, Issue 4
Abstract
The impacts of physical and chemical aquifer heterogeneities on optimal remediation design, costs, and time to compliance are investigated by linking a genetic algorithm with a contaminant transport simulation model. Physical and chemical aquifer heterogeneities were grouped into three levels as follows: (1) hydraulic conductivity (K) heterogeneity only; (2) combined heterogeneity of K and the distribution coefficient and (3) combined heterogeneity of K, and the mass transfer rate (α). Various degrees of heterogeneity were considered, ranging from slightly heterogeneous to strongly heterogeneous. Impacts were evaluated using two different optimization models: the optimal design model and the time-to-compliance model. The first model focused on finding optimal aquifer remediation designs and costs under various heterogeneity conditions, and the second model optimized the time needed to meet the water quality goals for a fixed pumping schedule. Results show that the variability in the remediation costs and time to compliance for different realizations of a heterogeneous K-field increases as K-heterogeneity increases. Consideration of - and α-heterogeneities results in different policies and costs compared to cases where sorption heterogeneity is neglected. In general, time to compliance increases for systems with both chemical and physical heterogeneity as compared to systems with only physical heterogeneity. The impact of α-heterogeneity on remediation strategies is most apparent when -heterogeneity is high. Although an increase in K-heterogeneity decreases the impact of - and α-heterogeneities on remediation costs and time to compliance, sorption heterogeneity could still significantly impact the performance of a remediation system, especially when sorption heterogeneity is high.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management
Volume 130 • Issue 4 • July 2004
Pages: 311 - 320
Copyright
Copyright © 2004 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 23, 2001
Accepted: Aug 4, 2003
Published online: Jun 15, 2004
Published in print: Jul 2004
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