PNNL

Abstract

Contaminants disposed of at the land surface must migrate through the vadose zone before entering groundwater. Processes that occur in the vadose zone can attenuate contaminant concentrations during transport through the vadose zone. Thus, quantifying contaminant attenuation and contaminant transport processes in the vadose zone, in support of the conceptual site model (CSM) and fate and transport assessments, is important for assessing the need for, and type of, remediation in the vadose zone and groundwater. The framework to characterize attenuation and transport processes provided in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance documents was used to guide the laboratory effort reported herein.