Groundwater Monitoring and Remediation

Dear Colleagues,

Numerous papers have been written over the last 25 years regarding how best to sample ground water for different environmental program objectives. Ground water sampling is used to determine the extent of potential groundwater impacts from both point and non-point sources of contamination, as well as to assess the presence of naturally-occurring contaminants (e.g., arsenic, chromium). The actual activity of sampling, however, can impact the ‘natural state’ or pseudo-equilibrium of the ground water system under assessment, depending on the sampling method, sampling device, and construction of the monitoring point itself. This makes it important to clarify the objectives of the monitoring program before sampling, preferably before installing either permanent or temporary monitoring access points. These objectives can include everything from simple compliance/noncompliance monitoring through the detailed needs of lawyers and expert witnesses in court cases.

Monitoring wells has sometimes been referred to ‘holes in the ground that lie.’ Many practitioners have stressed the need to understand the flow dynamics of the monitoring system in the context of the nature of the sampling platform, but it is also necessary to understand the dynamics of the local groundwater flow regime that you are trying to characterize or assess.  We have seen an evolution, from sampling methods that used a rapidly pumped or bailed casing volume approach for purging wells, to low-flow purging and sampling with the stabilization of indicator parameters, and, eventually, fully passive sampling approaches that can include downhole sensors to avoid water collection entirely. Coinciding with the evolution of sampling methods, we have also seen a movement away from large diameter long-screened wells to small diameter short-screened monitoring points for many subsurface characterization programs. All the above continue to be used for different sampling objectives or due almost entirely to inertia at some sites, but the choice of approach is confusing for some practitioners, even though we now have substantial data and modeling to help with such choices. Guidance for monitoring approaches best suited for specific objectives remains somewhat lacking in the literature.

This Special Issue will address the current state of practice in groundwater sampling for the spectrum of objectives, including characterization of ground water resources, plume delineation, pumping impacts on surface water resources, establishment of baseline water quality for local and regional flow systems to assess impacts from anthropogenic activities that may impact groundwater quality (e.g., oil and gas activities, mining, waste disposal facilities, and other point and nonpoint source inputs) and for litigation support.

Dr. Robert Puls
Mr. Robert Powell
Guest Editor

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