Overview:

The main purpose of this web site is to allow viewing of animated results of groundwater flow modeling in support of the 317/319 Area phytoremediation program at Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois. The site also has a pdf format file to give viewers an introduction to phytoremediation and an overview of the phyto project at Argonne.

The 800-tree phytoremediation system, which includes over 400 poplars installed in deep, lined boreholes (TreeWells), was installed in summer 1999. Modeling analyses are focused on these TreeWells, which have their roots directed to a deep, contaminated, highly variable, confined sand within the glacial drift sequence. Modeling analyses illustrate the conditions during both the pre-phytoremediation period and the mature phytoremediation system period.

For natural (i.e. pre-phytoremediation) conditions, the animation covers a two-year period (starting in a typical January), and each time step represents one month. The clock therefore clicks 24 times. The simulation shows shifting potentiometric heads, with highs in mid-summer and lows in early fall.

For the animations that include the effect of the phytoremediation system, the modeling begins in January 2000. The simulation covers a six-year period. In the first three years, the trees are developing. At the fourth year, the crowns of the trees are assumed to be touching and the trees are fully grown. Modeling of years 4-6 therefore provides a look at the mature plantations. The clock ticks monthly for a total of 72 months. The simulation demonstrates the best estimate of the effect of the phytoremediation system on groundwater levels and flow directions. The results support the phyto design for the purpose of providing hydraulic containment for the site, despite season changes (leaf off in winter). As the trees mature, their effect on the flow system becomes more pronounced, and the seasonally dewatered portions of the aquifer grow in size. The three years of modeled mature plantations indicate similar results, supporting the idea that seasonal dewatering effects are not cumulative.

Water use rates for both the developing and mature trees are conservative estimates based on literature values of other phreatophytes (e.g. alfalfa) and experience with poplars.


Groundwater Flow Animations:

The following six files are animations of the calculated results. Dewatered areas are depicted as blank (white) areas. If downloading time is an issue, the best one to view is #6.

Viewing the animations or saving them locally will take some downloading time. If you're using Microsoft Internet Explorer, clicking any of the available files (.avi format) causes a media player (e.g. Microsoft Media Player) to open and play the animation. The image may be re-sized by clicking the middle box in the top right corner of the window. Play is started again by clicking the triangle. Playback speed may be controlled manually using the slider. With Quicktime, the animation can be replayed by double-clicking the image. Using Netscape, you may not be able to resize the image or manually control playback. If you have trouble viewing the animations with your computer, I'd appreciate it if you would let me know.

natural flow system (labeled contours)	1. The natural, transient flowfield with labeled head contours (3.5 meg)
natural flow system (color contouring)	2. Same as above, but with color-fill contours (3.6 meg)
phytoremediation system in regional view (labeled contours)	3. The effect of phytoremediation on the transient flowfield, with labeled head contours. Note that the empty areas represent portions of the aquifer that are dewatered. These dewatered areas "shrink" when seasonal recharge increases and leafs are off the trees (i.e. early winter to mid spring). (10.9 meg)
phytoremediation system in regional view (color contouring)	4. Same as above, but with color-fill contours (10.7 meg)
Zoom of phytoremediation system (labeled contours)	5. Zoom view of #3 (9.7 meg)
Zoom of phytoremediation system (color contouring)	6. Zoom view of #4 (9.3 meg)

Glacial Stratigraphy Animation:
The glacial geologic depositional history of this site has resulted in a complex framework of aquifers and aquitards. Rather than a series of cross sections, a 3D animation has been created. It shows the site topography, the borehole stratrigraphy, a set of synoptic water level measurements from the confined intermediate glacial drift aquifer (blue water level markers), and the pump elevations of the 317 Area extraction wells (also shown with blue water level markers). Vertical exaggeration is 10x. File size is 26 meg.
animation of 317/319 hydrostratigraphy


Publications:

Gopalakrishnan, G., M.C. Negri, B.S. Minsker, and C.J. Werth, 2007, Monitoring Subsurface Contamination Using Tree Branches: Ground Water Monitoring & Remediation 27 (1), p. 65–74.

Quinn, J.J., and R.L. Johnson, 2005, Continuous Water Level Monitoring in the Assessment of Groundwater Remediation and Refinement of a Conceptual Site Model: Remediation, vol. 15, no. 4, p. 49-61.
Negri, M.C., E.G. Gatliff , J.J. Quinn, and R.R. Hinchman, 2003, Root Development and Rooting at Depths, in S.C. McCutcheon and J.L. Schnoor, eds., Phytoremediation: Transformation and Control of Contaminants: Hoboken, NJ, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., p. 233-262.

Quinn, J.J., M.C. Negri, R.R. Hinchman, L.M. Moos, J.B. Wozniak, and E.G. Gatliff, 2001, Predicting the Effect of Deep-Rooted Hybrid Poplars on the Groundwater Flow System at a Phytoremediation Site: International Journal of Phytoremediation, vol. 3, no. 1, p. 41-60.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2003, Deployment of Phytotechnology in the 317/319 Area at Argonne National Laboratory-East: Innovative Technology Evaluation Report, National Risk Management Research Laboratory Office of Research and Development, EPA/540/R-05/011.


Phyto Photos:

View time-lapse photography of the ANL site.

An on-the-ground perspective shows the plantation at various stages in its young life:
1. July 1999 - immediately after installation of all trees
2. October 1999 - after site restoration
3. September 2000 - end of first complete growing season
4. June 2001 - flourishing early in second complete growing season
5. August 2002 - during third complete growing season

Aerial views illustrate the difference in the plantation's appearance from immediately after planting to two years later.


Contact Info:

John J. Quinn
Environmental Science Division
Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne, IL
630-252-5357
quinnj@anl.gov