Push-Pull Tests to Distinguish Abiotic and Biotic Degradation Rates for Mass Balance Determinations of In Situ Natural Attenuation Capacity

摘要

A series of single-well, "push-pull" tests were conducted within a large chlorinated solvent plume to determine in situ kmetics and rates of chlorinated solvent reduction and microbial processes at the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site C-Area as one of 14 funded research projects for the Monitored Natural Attenuation/Enhanced Attenuation for Chlorinated Solvents project. "Push-pull" tests are being evaluated to determine if they are a viable field-based method for calculating a mass balance of the attenuation capacity of a contaminated groundwater system. Test results allow for segregating abiotic and biotic in situ degradation rates which are utilized for mass balance. These tests were conducted using eight existing plume monitoring wells, under varying chemical, geo-chemical and microbial conditions.