I think that I recently mentioned the also deceptive comment from a GHD operative (consultant) that CHLOROBENZENE DOES NOT EQUAL DNAPL. Boy is there some semantics and word twisting going on there. I do believe that the chlorobenzene plume under part of Elmira is not DNAPL. It is the totally expected slow dissolution or dissolving of chlorobenzene DNAPL that was spilled or dumped by Uniroyal Chemical decades ago. Therefore all chlorobenzene in and around Elmira started as DNAPL but the DNAPL now located in saturated soil is very slowly dissolving into groundwater and those dissolved portions have changed from Non Aqueous Phase to an Aqueous (i.e. water) Phase as they migrate with the groundwater.
A few quotes may also help to clarify. " The dissolved portion of chlorobenzene moves with the groundwater, while the larger, undissolved liquid portion will sink and can persist in the subsurface." As well there is the following: "The adsorbed chlorobenzene in the vadose (unsaturated) and saturated zone will take a long time to disappear, liberating contamination in either the gaseous or dissolved state. The resulting plumes (gaseous or dissolved) will be relatively small in size." Finally "Chlorinated solvents have low solubility in water and are denser than water, causing them to sink and accumulate in the subsurface as DNAPLs.".
For me these quotes from professional and academic sources published on line put things in perspective. Firstly it is clear that pump & treat remediation is plainly the cheapest and least effective method of remediating chlorinated solvents under Elmira. This was a quote from Dave Belanger of CH2MHILL way back in the 1990s on behalf of the Region of Waterloo. Secondly we were deceived and lied to regarding chlorobenzene leaving the Uniroyal site PRIOR to dissolving in the groundwater. Serious evidence of free phase DNAPL has been found in two locations off the Uniroyal site over the years namely by the Howard St. Water Tower (OW57-32R) as well as on the Nutrite property. Since June 19/25 Jesse Wright of Arcadis has stated that there are another approximate half dozen locations of chlorobenzene DNAPL south-west of the Uniroyal site near First St, Union St. and Howard Ave.
This chlorobenzene DNAPL carried Dioxins and DDT plus more with it and is to this day slowly dissolving into the Elmira Aquifers. This will continue for at least decades more maybe even centuries if you examine the Montrose, California subsurface chlorobenzene and DDT mixture.
Our authorities have been dishonest and complicit. None of them can be in charge of any new cleanups!
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