A groundwater flow and transport model describing competitive hydrogenotrophic anaerobic biological dechlorination of halogenated solvents (such as PCE) is presented. The model incorporates a kinetic description of growth of dechlorinating and competing methanogenic bacteria and the resulting biodegradation of PCE. An application of the model to a field scale model problem demonstrates the potential of the transport model for identification of remediation strategies that minimize competition for hydrogen in the subsurface environment. Additionally, the model may be utilized to determine potential for natural attenuation. Ultimately this model will allow comparison of alternative strategies to predict the effect of engineering decisions (including the type, location, and rate of injection of hydrogen donors) on contaminant movement and biodegradation in the subsurface.
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