Impacts of Source Management on Chlorinated Solvent Plumes

Abstract

Chlorinated solvent plumes, in aqueous or vapor form, are the products of contaminant source zones. So long as source zones persist, management of plumes will be an ongoing activity. The status of a plume is therefore inextricably linked to its source, and any decision regarding plume management is likely to involve a decision regarding management of the source. As bounding scenarios, sources can decay via naturally occurring processes or they can be actively addressed through engineered measures designed to contain and/or deplete the source. Typically, engineered measures are intended to reduce the magnitude and/or duration of contaminant discharge from a source to an aqueous or vapor phase plume. A typical consequential benefit of source zone treatment is a reduction in the contaminant concentrations downgradient.