A multisite survey to identify the scale of the 1,4-dioxane problem at contaminated groundwater sites

Adamson, DT; Mahendra, S; Walker, KL, Jr; Rauch, SR; Sengupta, S; Newell, CJ

HERO ID

3545555

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2014

Language

English

HERO ID 3545555
In Press No
Year 2014
Title A multisite survey to identify the scale of the 1,4-dioxane problem at contaminated groundwater sites
Authors Adamson, DT; Mahendra, S; Walker, KL, Jr; Rauch, SR; Sengupta, S; Newell, CJ
Journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters
Volume 1
Issue 5
Page Numbers 254-258
Abstract 1,4-Dioxane (dioxane) is an emerging groundwater contaminant that has significant regulatory implications and potential remediation costs, but our current understanding of its occurrence and behavior is limited. This study used intensive data mining to identify and evaluate >2000 sites in California where groundwater has been impacted by chlorinated solvents and/or dioxane. Dioxane was detected at 194 of these sites, with 95% containing one or more chlorinated solvents. Dioxane frequently co-occurs with 1,1,1-trichloroethene (1,1,1-TCA) (76% of the study sites), but despite this, no dioxane analyses were conducted at 332 (67%) of the sites where 1,1,1-TCA was detected. At sites where dioxane has been identified, plumes are dilute but not large (median maximal concentration of 365 mu g/L; median plume length of 269 m) and have been delineated to a similar extent as typically co-occurring chlorinated solvents. Furthermore, at sites where dioxane and chlorinated solvents co-occur, dioxane plumes are frequently shorter than the chlorinated solvent plumes (62%). The results suggest that dioxane has not migrated beyond chlorinated solvent plumes and existing monitoring networks at the majority of sites, and that the primary risk is the large number of sites where dioxane is likely to be present but has yet to be identified.
Doi 10.1021/ez500092u
Wosid WOS:000350831100003
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword dioxane; groundwater; groundwater contamination; monitoring; remediation; solvents; surveys; California