Numerical modelling for design and evaluation of groundwater remediation schemes

The growth in readily available computational resources has led to increasi ngly sophisticated numerical models of biologically mediated, reactive chem ical transport in aquifers. Such models are able to both simulate and predi ct behaviour of contaminants over reasonably long time scales and under a v ariety of circumstances and conditions. Application of one such model is de monstrated in two contamination scenarios, each of which constitutes a sign ificant environmental problem. The first concerns acid mine drainage (AMD), a widespread problem facing mining and other industries. The second concer ns contamination of soil and groundwater by benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX) compounds, resulting from spills or leaks of petroleum hydro carbons. In each case, the model is used to simulate both the production an d evolution of the contaminants as they migrate in groundwater, and also to evaluate remediation schemes. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.