Flux-based risk management strategy of groundwater pollutions: the CMF approach

Abstract

A site- and receptor-specific risk management strategy for groundwater pollution based on the measurement of contaminant mass flux is proposed. The approach is useful and compatible with the demands formulated in the European Water Framework Directive, its Groundwater Daughter Directive and the regulations applicable in the EU member states. The proposed CMF method focuses on the following: (1) capture zones, (2) the location of control planes, (3) the definition of the maximum allowed contaminant mass discharge and (4) contaminant mass flux measurements. For every control plane, such a maximum allowed contaminant mass discharge is derived and is crucial for the receptor risk management strategy. The method is demonstrated for a large area of groundwater pollution present in the industrial area of Vilvoorde-Machelen located in Flanders, Belgium.

Contaminant mass discharge to streams: Comparing direct groundwater velocity measurements and multi-level groundwater sampling with an in-stream approach

“…These concentrations can be compared to existing surface water quality criteria used in concentration-based risk assessment (Newell et al, 2011;Verreydt et al, 2012).…”

DOC and nitrate fluxes from farmland; impact on a dolostone aquifer KCZ

“…This research develops the application of the Transect Method, previously used for prediction of impacts of industrial sources on groundwater quality, to other point sources of contamination such as farms. Previous applications of the Transect Method focused on prediction of contaminant mass fluxes and concentration at industrial field sites related to release of chlorinated pollutants and heavy metals (Verreydt et al 2012(Verreydt et al , 2013Padgett et al 2017). Here we show that the Transect Method can be used to define mass fluxes and hence concentrations of contaminants in groundwater.…”

Vertical Hydraulic Gradient Estimation in Clay Till, Using MiHPT Advanced Direct‐Push Technology

“…A useful metric to characterize the risk from a contaminated site is contaminant mass discharge (CMD), used mainly for sand and gravel aquifers and estimated at a vertical control plane in the plume down-gradient the source (e.g., Troldborg et al 2010;Newell et al 2011;Verreydt et al 2012). The method can also be applied quantifying the vertical CMD from the source, with a focus on the contaminated area, concentration, and vertical water flux from a secondary source in risk assessment models (Kamath et al 2006;Chambon et al 2011;RISC5 2011;Locatelli et al 2019).…”