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Characterization and Remediation of Fractured Rock

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1 Introduction
1 Introduction Overview
1.1 Characterizing Fractured Rock
1.2 Comparing Unconsolidated Porous Media CSMs and Fractured Rock CSMs
1.3 21- Compartment Model
1.4 Value of Investigation
2 Geology
2 Geology Overview
2.1 Elements of Terrane Analysis
2.2 Benefits of Terrane Information for the Initial CSM
2.3 Terrane Analysis Case Study
2.4 Terrane Analysis Summary
3 Hydrology
3 Hydrology: Fluid Flow Overview
3.1 Fractured Rock Characteristics
3.2 Fluid Dynamics
3.3 Vapors in Fractured Rock
3.4 Role of Scale in Fractured Rock Fluid Flow
4 Chemistry
4 Chemistry: Fate and Transport Overview
4.1 Fate and Transport Mechanisms
4.2 Contaminant Properties Affecting Fate and Transport
5 Site Characterization
5 Site Characterization Overview
5.1 Review and Refine Existing CSM
5.2 Define the Problem
5.3 Identify Significant Data Gaps
5.4 Define Data Collection Objectives and Design Data Collection Process
5.5 Select Investigation Tools
5.6 Develop and Implement Work Plan
5.7 Manage, Interpret, and Present Data
5.8 Lessons Learned
6 Remediation Design
7 Monitoring
8 Modeling Fractured Rock
9 Stakeholder Perspectives
10 Regulatory Challenges
11 Case Studies
11 Case Studies Overview
11.1 Former Industrial Site, Greenville, South Carolina
11.2 Solvents Recovery Service of New England, Inc., Superfund Site, Southington, Connecticut
11.3 Characterization of Fractured Bedrock, United Kingdom
Appendix A. Karst Terranes
Appendix B. Bedrock Types
Appendix C. Drilling
Appendix D. The 21-Compartment Model
Additional Information
Glossary
References
Acronyms
Acknowledgments
Team Contacts
Document Feedback

 

Characterization and Remediation in Fractured Rocks
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5.2 Define the Problem

“A problem well stated is a problem half solved.”

-Charles F. Kettering, 1876-1958, Head of Research, General Motors

The value of an effective problem statement cannot be stressed enough for fractured rock settings. All other factors being equal (including contaminants, concentrations, plume size, mass flux), investigations in fractured rock generally have greater uncertainty—requiring greater investments of time and money to reduce that uncertainty—than those in unconsolidated materials. To manage these risks, the project should begin with a concise problem statement.

The problem statement for a hydraulic investigation of a fractured rock site has components that differ from those for unconsolidated materials because of the unique attributes of fractured rock. Table 5-1 includes an example problem statement:

The vertical contaminant distribution and rate of plume expansion or migration are inadequately understood.

This example is only one of several potential problem statements that could be written for this hypothetical site. This problem statement leads to an initial characterization objective: delineation of the vertical and lateral extent of the plume, enabling the development of strategies for the protection of off-site receptors. This objective is followed by the identification of significant data gaps, resulting in one or more specific data collection objectives. Contamination may be found flowing at different depths, at different rates, and in different directions.

Information from past activities at a site is sometimes available. If site information is not available, consider accessing available data and information from nearby and hydrogeologically similar sites. Attributes such as rock type, fracture size, location and continuity, and geologic structure are usually unknown, thus initial site investigations refine the problem statement and describe clear characterization objectives. An additional example of problem statements are found in the case example in Section 6.5.

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