A multifaceted approach to identify and quantify the processes contributing to chlorinated aliphatic compound attenuation.

Abstract

Although chlorinated ethene contamination is one of the most ubiquitous and researched types of groundwater and subsurface contamination, in situ site specific remediation has proven rather difficult due to the nature and the propensity of these contaminants. This thesis addresses the problem through the analysis and quantification of the underlying governing processes, the effect of heterogeneity of the subsurface and the general uncertainty related to groundwater sciences. Based on seminal work, an internship conducted at the municipality Utrecht and groundwater modelling, the limitations of the most often used numerical simulations are identified and adapted in order to properly incorporate the governing processes. The use of degradation rates less sensitive to heterogeneity and uncertainty, such as Michaelis-Menten kinetics, resulted in a more correct approximation of subsurface processes and conditions. Supplementing the numerical outcomes, this thesis proposes a technical guideline and tool to screen and assess chlorinated ethene contaminated sites.