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STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Perform a dye tracer investigation to determine the pathways and rates at which groundwater contamination that originated on the manufacturing plant's property is exiting the site.
SPECIFICS OF PROJECT
In order to evaluate whether contaminant migration pathways are impacting potential downgradient receptors that include surface water bodies and existing water supply wells a delineation of the study area was conducted along with a Matrix Interference Investigation and a dye trace of groundwater flow.
DELINEATION OF STUDY AREA
The study area was extended in al directions away from the site until one of the following conditions was met: 1) The water table was established to be higher than at the proposed dye injection locations on site. 2) A definite discharge boundary was reached, such as a large perennial stream.
MATRIX INTERFERENCE INVESTIGATION
Due to the contaminants present at the site, a Matrix Interference Investigaiton was performed previous to selection of the dye to be used. This involved a laboratory invstigation to measure the potential impact of chemicals in the groundwater on the dye concentration, the adsorption of the dye by the charcoal or the release of dye from the charcoal during elution.
DYE TRACE INVESTIGATION
Dye receptor locations were selected due to the data collected through the field survey for the Karst Hydrogeologic Inventory. This field investigation was necessary to confirm the accuracy of the geologic map. The survey was conducted under conditions ranging from moderate to high flow during a wet period when the dominant resurgence points were active. The survey was conducted by walking or floating all streams and associated impoundments (lakes/ponds) in the study area to visually identify karst features such as springs, soil springs, seeps, sinkholes,swallets,karst windows,sinking streams,and caves.
Background Fluorescence Investigation involved the monitoring of resurgence points and streams in the study area for backgroud concentration of dye from previous dye traces, contamination, and natural interference. The results of the background were used to evaluate the the appropiate dyes and dye concentration to be used in the dye tracer investigation.
Five dyes were chosen for injection into the 5 monitoring wells.
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