Source apportionment of trichloroethylene in groundwater of the industrial complex in Wonju, Korea: a 15‐year dispute and perspective

Abstract

The groundwater of an industrial complex has been contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE) since 1995. High levels of TCE exceeding the Korean groundwater standard can still be found. However, ongoing controversial debate on the contamination source has hindered the remedial works. Wonju city suggested a single source, while the Gangwon Province considered multiple sources. The TCE plume appeared as two separate plumes rather than a single plume. Carbon tetrachloride (CT), a formerly used solvent, formed a plume but its extent was restricted to the left half of the overall TCE plume. The soil contamination survey revealed the existence of at least two contamination source areas. All the evidences pointed to the asphalt test laboratory as being one of the major sources, but the possibility of other sources cannot be excluded. The maximum extent of the TCE contamination caused by the asphalt laboratory may have been restricted to the left half of the overall TCE plume.

Remediation of Contaminated Groundwater: Change of Paradigm for Sustainable Use

“…The most important issue is about the apportionment of the TCE contamination. Apart from the Asphalt Test Institute, there are also other plausible sources of contamination of the groundwater such as a molding company, even though they are not expected to contribute to the contamination to a great extent (Baek and Lee, 2011;. Although it is practically obvious that the Asphalt Test Institute is the main source of the TCE contaminated groundwater at this site, the GRMO has not admitted responsibility for the contamination and has continuously suspended the remediation work of the contaminated groundwater.…”

“…It has been shown that groundwater in some urban areas is severely contaminated with various organic compounds (Park et al, 2005;Lee et al, 2010;Baek and Lee, 2011).…”

“…Groundwater contamination with organic solvents, espe- cially TCE, in an industrial complex of Wonju city was first found from a groundwater quality monitoring network (GQMN) survey in 1995 (Yu et al, 2006;Baek and Lee, 2011). Successive detailed investigations revealed that groundwater contamination was severe and widespread in most of the industrial area, and the contaminants of concern, in addition to TCE, also included PCE, CT and CF (Baek and Lee, 2011;.…”

“…Successive detailed investigations revealed that groundwater contamination was severe and widespread in most of the industrial area, and the contaminants of concern, in addition to TCE, also included PCE, CT and CF (Baek and Lee, 2011;. Yu et al (2006) designated the Asphalt Test Institute of the Gangwon Road Maintenance Office (GRMO), located upgradient of the complex, as the contamination source (Fig.…”

“…Consequently, related hazards such as groundwater depletion (large drawdowns), land subsidence, and groundwater contamination have been often reported (Jeong, 2001;Park et al, 2005;Chae et al, 2008;Baek and Lee, 2011;Lee, 2011;Song et al, 2011). In addition, recent global climate change is expected to aggravate the groundwater condition (Woo, 2013).…”