Fate and Transport Modeling

Fate and Transport Modeling 

When groundwater contamination is present, Peak’s experts delineate the plume and characterize the aquifer by determining site characteristics that affect the rate at which groundwater and dissolved contaminants travel. These include geochemical parameters of groundwater, the groundwater flow direction, hydraulic gradient, and physical properties, including aquifer material type and grain size, sorting, and porosity.  This information is utilized to support the Site’s conceptual site model (CSM) and provide the basis for fate and transport modeling, which is necessary to satisfy regulations that require determination of future behavior of the plume to prevent future exposure to contaminants that will remain in place in groundwater. 

Peak’s hydrogeologists routinely complete fate and transport calculations and more complex modeling software to predict plume behavior as shrinking, stable or expanding. This output can determine whether active remediation is necessary and, if not, the frequency of sampling required to monitor the plume. The output of these tools also provides an estimate of how long contaminants will remain at concentrations greater than applicable regulatory standards. This information has a primary effect on long term costs of a project.

Projects