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2003 Progress Report: Evaluation of Hydrologic Models for Alternative Covers at Mine Waste Sites
EPA Grant Number: R829515C007Subproject: this is subproject number 007 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R829515
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: HSRC - Rocky Mountain Regional Hazardous Substance Research Center for Remediation of Mine Waste Sites
Center Director: Shackelford, Charles D.
Title: Evaluation of Hydrologic Models for Alternative Covers at Mine Waste Sites
Investigators: Shackelford, Charles D. , Benson, Craig H.
Institution: Colorado State University , University of Wisconsin - Madison
EPA Project Officer: Lasat, Mitch
Project Period: October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2005
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003
Project Amount: Refer to main center abstract for funding details.
RFA: Hazardous Substance Research Centers - HSRC (2001)
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation
Description:
Objective:The overall objective of this research project is to evaluate the accuracy of five different hydrologic models (HELP, UNSAT-H, Vadose/W, HYDRUS-2D, and LEACHM) commonly used for the design of cover systems using high-quality field data from large-scale test facilities of alternative covers, with the ultimate aim of developing an improved, easy-to-use, and field-verified model for long-term assessment of alternative covers at a variety of sites and climatic conditions. The research project has four supporting objectives: (1) a baseline assessment and comparison of the algorithms in existing hydrologic models when applied to a variety of meteorological conditions; (2) an unbiased, critical assessment of the predictive capabilities of existing hydrologic models for covers using field data from ALCD, ACAP, and RMA; (3) improvement of the hydrologic model (or models) that has the most promise, so that predictions made with the model are accurate; and (4) incorporation of additional algorithms in the model that can be used to assess the impact of long-term processes such as plant secession, pedogenesis, and climatic change.
Progress Summary:The models used for cover analysis (HYDRUS-2D, UNSAT-H, HELP, SOILCOVER, LEACHM, and VADOSE/W) have been acquired at both the University of Wisconsin (UW) and Colorado State University (CSU), uploaded onto PCs, and tested for functionality. The algorithms used by the models are being reviewed and compared, and data sets to be used for the comparative analyses are being compiled. The two primary models to be evaluated at UW are HYDRUS-2D and UNSAT-H, and the two models to be evaluated at CSU are VADOSE/W and LEACHM. The HELP model will be evaluated at both UW and CSU. Four primary sites of field data have been identified on the basis of climatological considerations and representativeness of mine waste locations as follows: Polson, MT; Sacramento, CA; Albany, GA; and Omaha, NE. In addition, field data from the site at Altamont, CA, are being used to provide a basic comparison of the reproducibility of results between CSU and UW. At each site, two cover profiles (such as capillary barrier and monolithic barrier) are to be evaluated. The reproducibility of the simulations performed at both CSU and UW has been evaluated. For example, simulations using the VADOSE/W model with the same input data have been performed at both UW and CSU to assess the consistency in the results. Also, simulation results using field data have been compared using HYDRUS-2D and UNSAT-H, and field data from the field sites in Sacramento, Albany, and Omaha.
Future Activities:The second year of research will be devoted to finalizing the first objective, and starting the second and third objectives. The activities will include continued assembly of input files, and then conducting further comparative simulations.
Supplemental Keywords:hydrologic model, HELP, UNSAT-H, Vandose/W, HYDRUS-2D, LEACHM, alternative covers, mine waste site, ALCD, ACAP, RMA, plant secession, pedogenesis, climatic change, HELP, SOILCOVER. , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Industry Sectors, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, TREATMENT/CONTROL, Scientific Discipline, Waste, RFA, Remediation, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, Risk Assessment, Geology, Restoration, Waste Treatment, Ecological Risk Assessment, Hazardous Waste, Environmental Engineering, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Groundwater remediation, Hazardous, Mining - NAIC 21, Ecology and Ecosystems, Environmental Monitoring, bioavailability, heavy metal contamination, heavy metals, treatment, water quality, aquatic ecosystem, environmental rehabilitation, geochemistry, extraction of metals, contaminated waste sites, mining, mining wastes, groundwater hydrology models, acid mine runoff, aquatic toxicology, acid mine drainage, monitoring, ecological recovery, contaminated aquifers, groundwater pollution, remediation technologies, mining waste, contaminant transport, ecological indicators, acid mine discharge, leaching of toxic metals, aquatic ecosystems, metals, contaminated groundwater, hydrogeology, hydrology, stream ecosystem, restoration strategies, contaminated sites
Relevant Websites:
http://www.engr.colostate.edu/hsrc/ 
Progress and Final Reports:
Original Abstract
2004 Progress Report
2005 Progress Report
Main Center Abstract and Reports:
R829515 HSRC - Rocky Mountain Regional Hazardous Substance Research Center for Remediation of Mine Waste Sites