Monitored Natural Attenuation

Monitored Natural Attenuation When chlorinated solvents are spilled or leak into soil or groundwater, natural processes occur to destroy or alter the chemicals. This natural attenuation is recognized by the EPA as a viable method of remediation for soil and groundwater.

Projects An Approach for Evaluating the Progress of Natural Attenuation in Groundwater (PDF) (84 pp, 956 KB) (EPA/600/R-11/204) December 2011 | Comparison of Initial Year of Review Cycle to Final Year of Review Cycle (.xls) (2 pp, 60 KB) | Regression MNA (.xls) (3 pp, 56 KB) Monitored Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Solvents (PDF) (2 pp, 118 KB) Monitoring Oxidation-Reduction Processes in Subsurface Systems (PDF) (2 pp, 59 KB) Natural Anaerobic Biodegradation of Biofuels (PDF) (2 pp, 111 KB) Natural Attenuation of Metals During Iron Sulfide Formation (PDF) (2 pp, 980 KB)

Introduction

GWERD scientists have led the way in developing EPA's approach for applying and assessing monitored natural attenuation (MNA) as a cleanup tool for organic and inorganic contaminants in groundwater. MNA can work with other more active remedial tools at some sites where biogeochemical conditions favor natural processes that degrade or immobilize harmful contaminants.

Status/Results

Inorganic Contaminants and Radionuclides – developed a framework document for MNA of inorganic contaminants. Contact: Rick Wilkin 580-436-8874

Chlorinated Solvents – developed and evaluated a technical protocol for MNA of Chlorinated Solvents. Contact: John Wilson 580-436-8534

Motor Fuel Components – evaluated prospects for MNA of the fuel oxygenates MTBE and TBA and the lead scavengers EDB and 1,2-DCA. Contact: John Wilson 580-436-8534

References and Products

Inorganic Contaminants and Radionuclides – Primary References

Monitored Natural Attenuation of Inorganic Contaminants in Ground Water Volume 3: Assessment for Radionuclides Including Tritium, Radon, Strontium, Technetium, Uranium, Iodine, Radium, Thorium, Cesium, and Plutonium-Americium (PDF) (147 pp, 5.56 MB) (EPA/600/R-10/093) September 2010 - Abstract

Monitored Natural Attenuation of Inorganic Contaminants in Ground Water – Volume 2, Assessment for Non-Radionuclides Including Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, Nickel, Nitrate, Perchlorate, and Selenium (PDF) (124, pp, 1.5 MB) (EPA/600/R-07/140) October 2007 – Abstract

Monitored Natural Attenuation of Inorganic Contaminants in Ground Water – Volume 1, Technical Basis for Assessment (PDF) (94 pp, 2 MB) (EPA/600/R-07/139) October 2007 – Abstract

Inorganic Contaminants and Radionuclides – Supporting References

Site Characterization to Support Use of Monitored Natural Attenuation for Remediation of Inorganic Contaminants in Ground Water – Ground Water Issue (PDF) (16 pp, 704 KB) (EPA/600/R-08/114) November 2008 – Abstract

Metal Attenuation Processes at Mining Sites – Ground Water Issue (PDF) (13 pp, 476 KB) (EPA/600/R-07/092) September 2007

Mineralogical Preservation of Solid Samples Collected From Anoxic Subsurface Environments (PDF) (8 pp, 412 KB) (EPA/600/R-06/112) October 2006

Field Study of the Fate of Arsenic, Lead, and Zinc at the Ground Water/Surface Water Interface (PDF) (83 pp, 5 MB) (EPA/600/R-05/161) December 2005 – Abstract

Workshop on Monitoring Oxidation-Reduction Processes for Ground Water Restoration, Workshop Summary, Dallas, Texas, April 25-27, 2000 (PDF) (148 pp, 1.49 MB) (EPA/600/R-02/002) January 2002

Natural Attenuation of Hexavalent Chromium in Ground Water and Soils – EPA Ground Water Issue (PDF) (12 pp, 460 KB) (EPA/540/5-94/505) October 1994

Chlorinated Solvents – Primary References

Evaluation of the Protocol for Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Solvents: Case Study at the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (PDF) (49 pp, 1.5 MB) (EPA/600/R-01/025) March 2001

Technical Protocol for Evaluating Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Solvents in Ground Water (248 pp, 2.48 MB) (EPA/600/R-98/128) September 1998

Chlorinated Solvents – Supporting References

Identification and Characterization Methods for Reactive Minerals Responsible for Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Organic Compounds in Ground Water (PDF) (152 pp, 2.6 MB) (EPA/600/R-09/115) December 2009 – Abstract

A Guide for Assessing Biodegradation and Source Identification of Organic Ground Water Contaminants Using Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) (PDF) (82 pp, 3.5 MB) (EPA/600/R-08/148) December 2008 – Abstract

Natural Attenuation of the Lead Scavengers 1,2-Dibromoethane (EDB) and 1,2-Dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) at Motor Fuel Release Sites and Implications for Risk Management (PDF) (74 pp, 2 MB) (EPA/600/R-08/107) September 2008 – Abstract

Evaluation of the Role of Dehalococcoides Organisms in the Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Ethylenes in Ground Water (PDF) (121 pp, 2.22 MB) (EPA/600/R-06/029) July 2006 – Abstract

Performance Monitoring of MNA Remedies for VOCs in Ground Water (PDF) (92 pp, 1 MB) (EPA/600/R-04/027) April 2004 – Abstract

Calculation and Use of First-Order Rate Constants for Monitored Natural Attenuation Studies – Ground water Issue (PDF) (28 pp, 752 KB) (EPA/540/S-02/500) November 2002 – Abstract

Workshop on Monitoring Oxidation-Reduction Processes for Ground Water Restoration, Workshop Summary, Dallas, Texas, April 25-27, 2000 (PDF) (148 pp, 1.49 MB) (EPA/600/R-02/002) January 2002

Microbial Processes Affecting Monitored Natural Attenuation of Contaminants in the Subsurface – Ground Water Issue (PDF) (18 pp, 152 KB) (EPA/540/S-99/001) September 1999

Fuel Components – Primary References

A Guide for Assessing Biodegradation and Source Identification of Organic Ground Water Contaminants Using Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) (PDF) (82 pp, 3.5 MB) (EPA/600/R-08/148) December 2008 – Abstract

Natural Attenuation of the Lead Scavengers 1,2-Dibromoethane (EDB) and 1,2- Dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) at Motor Fuel Release Sites and Implications for Risk Management (PDF) (74 pp, 2 MB) (EPA/600/R-08/107) September 2008 – Abstract

Monitored Natural Attenuation of Tertiary Butyl Alcohol (TBA) in Ground Water at Gasoline Spill Sites (PDF) (54 pp, 1.6 MB) (EPA/600/R-07/100) October 2007 – Abstract

Monitored Natural Attenuation of MTBE as a Risk Management Option at Leaking Underground Storage Tank Sites (PDF) (89 pp, 4.89 MB) (EPA/600/R -04/179) January 2005 – Abstract

Performance Monitoring of MNA Remedies for VOCs in Ground Water (PDF) (92 pp, 1.85 MB) (EPA/600/R-04/027) April 2004 – Abstract

Calculation and Use of First-Order Rate Constants for Monitored Natural Attenuation Studies – Ground water Issue (PDF) (28 pp, 752 KB) (EPA/540/S-02/500) November 2002

Workshop on Monitoring Oxidation-Reduction Processes for Ground Water Restoration, Workshop Summary, Dallas, Texas, April 25-27, 2000 (PDF) (148 pp, 1.49 MB) (EPA/600/R-02/002) January 2002

Evaluation of the Protocol for Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Solvents: Case Study at the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (PDF) (49 pp, 1.5 MB) (EPA/600/R-01/025) March 2001

Natural Attenuation of MTBE in Subsurface Under Methanogenic Conditions (PDF) (59 pp, 1.5 MB) (EPA/600/R-00/006) January 2000

Microbial Processes Affecting Monitored Natural Attenuation of Contaminants in the Subsurface – Ground Water Issue (PDF) (18 pp, 152 KB) (EPA/540/S-99/001) September 1999

Technical Protocol for Evaluating Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Solvents in Ground Water (248 pp, 2.48 MB) (EPA/600/R-98/128) September 1998

Anaerobic Biodegradation of BTEX in Aquifer Material – Environmental Research Brief (9 pp, 92 KB) (EPA/600/S-97/003) August 1997

Natural Attenuation of Hexavalent Chromium in Ground Water and Soils – EPA Ground Water Issue (PDF) (12 pp, 460 KB) (EPA/540/5-94/505) October 1994

Computer Applications

BIOCHLOR

BIOPLUME III

BIOSCREEN

FOOTPRINT

Contact

John Wilson
Research Microbiologist
580-436-8534

Rick Wilkin
Geochemist
580-436-8874

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