Practical Considerations on Resolving Groundwater and Surface Water Interaction at Contaminated Sites
Practically resolving groundwater and surface water interaction is becoming an increasingly critical challenge at contaminated sites adjoining surface water bodies. This is particularly the case in Australia as substantial industrial development has occurred in close proximity to coastlines and rivers.
Most conventional approaches to evaluate groundwater – surface water interaction are not well suited to the relatively small scale of the physical, chemical and biological processes that are relevant to contaminant transport and attenuation in groundwater, as they have been developed for water resource studies at the catchment scale. Hence, there is merit in outlining a specific set of tools and approaches to improve the resolution of this challenge in a more practical manner, at a scale that is relevant to the typical exposure scenarios evaluated in risk assessments at contaminated sites.
The ability to obtain hydrologic and water quality measurements within the zone of groundwater and surface water interaction can significantly improve conceptual site models, risk assessment assumptions and the site management decisions they support.
About the Presenters:
Frederic Cosme is Principal Engineer with Geosyntec Consultants with over 20 years’ experience in environmental consulting and hydrogeology in Australia, Western Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific. He is currently chairing ALGA’s special interest group in groundwater fate and transport.
Matt Edwards is a Principal Hydrogeologist at BlueSphere Environmental with over 15 years experience in the research and consulting sectors, including project work in the contaminated land, mining, natural resource and water supply markets.
Lange Jorstad is Principal Hydrogeologist with Geosyntec Consultants whose professional practice focuses on contaminant hydrogeology and contaminated site auditing, with a special technical interest in the environmental geochemistry of groundwater systems.
Greg Luke is a hydrogeologist and contaminated land specialist with over 18 years of experience working in various roles and sectors within the groundwater management and environmental consultancy industry.