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IMPROVING MODELING OF GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION MOVEMENT IN TOOELE VALLEY.
Author
Greenhalgh, Linden K.
Fenske, Jon P.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2017
Body

Trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination in groundwater from cleaning army equipment is moving downgradient through the Tooele Valley. From 1942 to 1966, various hazardous wastes produced by Tooele Army Depot were disposed in wastewater which flowed through unlined ditches to spreading areas and unlined lagoons. After several phases of environmental assessment and remedial field investigations the ditches and lagoons were closed. Monitoring wells were established and a pump and treat system were put in place to reduce contaminant concentrations. Ongoing testing monitors TCE levels and movement (referred to as the plume). Currently, approximately 146 wells are sampled semi-annually. Two plume lobes are apparent.� The wide plume lobe originating at the ditches called the main plume and a narrow concentrated plume lobe called the Northeast Boundary plume. No irrigation or culinary wells currently draw water out of the plume area. However, it appears that wells down-gradient and nearby ponds affect groundwater movement and aquifer recharge. Modeling technology is used to predict plume movement and contamination concentration through space and time. Recent on-site investigation has revealed information that has improved the prediction model.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM St. George, UT
Collection
SRM Annual Meeting Abstracts