Modeling natural attenuation at the plattsburgh air force base

摘要

A coupled biodegradation-redox transport model, BioRedox, was used to model the natural attenuation of BTEX and chlorinated ethenes at the Plattsburgh Air Force Base in New York. The model included representation of the redox-dependent biodegradation of TCE, DCE, and vinyl chloride, as well as the accumulation of chloride derived from these chlorinated ethene transformations. Redox-dependent biodegradation mechanisms represented in the model included oxidation, reductive dechlorination, and methanotrophic cometabolism. Modeling of the redox zones downgradient from the LNAPL source was conducted by coupling BTEX oxidation with the reduction of inorganic electron acceptors (i.e. oxygen, nitrate, mineral-phase ferric hydroxides, sulfate, and carbon-dioxide). The production of dissolved ferrous iron and methane was also modeled. A unique visualization method for identifying redox-dependent transport mechanisms is presented. An innovative new approach for visually comparing field-measured concentrations to model predictions during the calibration process is also illustrated.