Can a Sewage-Contaminated Aquifer Naturally Clean Itself?
The answer may be yes, but it might take much longer then scientists
originally guessed. USGS scientists are studying the natural restoration
of an aquifer that was contaminated by 60 years of land disposal of treated
sewage. Studies at the abandoned sewage-disposal facility at the Massachusetts
Military Reservation on Cape Cod have shown that:
- The natural cleanup in the aquifer on Cape Cod is taking longer than
USGS scientists had expected.
- Although the natural ground-water flow has flushed away some contaminants
in the aquifer under the disposal area, continuing biodegradation of
organic materials associated with the aquifer sediments is maintaining
low oxygen levels and elevated pH.
- Some contaminants, such as phosphorus and zinc, are expected to remain
at elevated levels in the sewage-contaminated zone for many years because
of the persistent low oxygen levels and elevated pH.
- Geochemical models developed for the studies at the site predict that
restoration to pre-contamination conditions may take many decades.
The Department of Defense is using the predictions of the long natural-cleanup
time to develop plume-management strategies that protect the environment
and drinking-water supplies in the Cape Cod sole source aquifer.
Related Headlines
More Information
References
- Natural
restoration of a sewage plume in a sand and gravel aquifer, Cape Cod,
Massachusetts, by D.R. LeBlanc, K.M. Hess, D.B. Kent, R.L. Smith,
L.B. Barber, K.G. Stollenwerk, and K.W. Campo
- Evolution of a ground-water sewage plume after removal of the 60-year-long
source, Cape Cod, Massachusetts--Changes
in the distribution of dissolved oxygen, boron, and organic carbon,
by L.B. Barber and S.H. Keefe
- Evolution of a ground-water sewage plume after removal of the 60-year-long
source, Cape Cod, Massachusetts--Fate
of volatile organic compounds, by K.W. Campo and K.M. Hess
- Evolution of a ground-water sewage plume after removal of the 60-year-long
source, Cape Cod, Massachusetts--Inorganic
nitrogen species, by R.L. Smith, B.A. Rea Kumler, T.R. Peacock,
and D.N. Miller
- Evolution of a ground-water sewage plume after removal of the 60-year-long
source, Cape Cod, Massachusetts--pH
and the fate of phosphate and metals, by D.B. Kent and Valerie Maeder
Back to Headlines Page
|
|