SO WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE RAMIFICATIONS OF CHLOROBENZENE DNAPL OFF-SITE AND IN THE ELMIRA AQUIFERS?

 Well firstly we don't know due to the ostrich like characteristics of Uniroyal/Lanxess and the gross incompetence/negligence of the Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE/MECP).  Both parties decided that they didn't want to have to deal with the complicating factors involved in a DNAPL site so they simply lied like dogs, disregarded the obvious evidence of DNAPL presence both on and off the Uniroyal site and proceeded as if all was straightforward and simple. DNAPL sites are neither one. 

Frank Rovers, according to a participant at UPAC, stated that the Uniroyal site was full of DNAPLs. The hydrogeological evidence in reports going back to the late 1980s and early to mid 1990s supports that.  This is despite dishonest conclusions in some client driven reports intentionally misinterpreting the data to minimize the extent of both free phase and residual DNAPL on the site. It was only later that the public became aware of off-site DNAPL issues such as onto the Nutrite property as well as beside the Howard St. water tower (OW57-32R) and most recently six to eight more potential areas in and around First St., Union St. and Howard Ave.  Just as a little reminder to the guilty parties and their fellow travellors  I have not forgotten about the search in the 1980s for orange liquid discharges from the Howard St. storm sewers heading towards the Canagagigue Creek.

These pools of free phase chlorobenzene DNAPLS can exist in the subsurface for decades to centuries and even longer (see Montrose, California DDT plant) depending on their size. The leftover residual DNAPL, in the soil pore spaces versus in pools, can also take decades or longer to fully dissolve. That is the problem with chlorobenzene as well as other DNAPL chemicals. They have a low solubility in water hence they simply cannot dissolve quickly while at the same time they can and do exceed the appropriately lower health based drinking water standards.  

DNAPLS flow in the subsurface based upon gravity not groundwater flow direction. Therefore they can flow literally in any direction albeit it must be downhill. The problem arises when DNAPL flows through "windows" in the aquitards and then contaminates groundwater in lower aquifers. This can also occur and I believe has occurred through a window in the Lower Aquitard (LAT) west of the Uniroyal site which is between the Municipal Lower Aquifer and the Bedrock Aquifer. Yes allegedly according to the polluter and successors chlorobenzene has not been found in the Bedrock Aquifer.  However their credibility is miles past suspect based upon their past behaviour and false claims. Finally DNAPL can also flow through leaky aquitards without a window although it takes longer.

If chlorobenzene DNAPL or any other DNAPL has penetrated the fissures and cracks in the weathered Bedrock Aquifer then we are all in trouble as they are almost impossible to remove fully. That might be the final kiss of death for the once pristine Elmira Aquifers.