High-resolution site characterization of contaminated groundwater in fractured and faulted sandstone (Passaic Formation). Integration of large dataset including chemical and hydraulic data from 1,100 wells, 19,800 soil samples from 9,000+ locations, multiport wells (19 to 24 ports/well), surface and borehole geophysics (110 borings), rock coring, and integration of on-site and off-site historical records. Bedrock aquifer is contaminated with DNAPL, VOCs, and 1,4-dioxane. The resulting conceptual site model includes multiple dipping hydrogeologic units (HGUs) offset by faults. Investigation results supported remedial design selection and legal strategy.
Contamination in soil, rock, and groundwater include the following chemicals:
- 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (TCA)
- 1,1-Dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE)
- 1,2-Dichloroethylene (1,2-DCE)
- 1,1-Dichloroethane (1,1-DCA)
- Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene (cis-1,2-DCE)
- Vinyl Chloride (VC)
- Chlorobenzenes (monochlorobenzene and 1,2-dichlorobenzene)
- Emerging Contaminant: 1,4-dioxane
- Benzene
- Toluene
Figure: Example borehole geophysical logs, inferred permeable fractures, multiport sampling intervals, groundwater fingerprint chemical concentration profile, and inferred Hydrogeologic Geologic Units (HGUs).