Asymptotic behaviour like many principles, theorems or scientific positions can be misinterpreted or even blatantly abused to further the positions of self-serving people. Let's see now, who would be in need of some science to back them up after almost thirty years of groundwater hydraulic containment has not done the job? Got it! The Ministry of Environment (MECP), Woolwich Township and as well Lanxess and TRAC for example. I mean really when you have been solely in charge of the cleanup from the very beginning and you have grossly failed to achieve your mandate what else is there to do? Simple you have to redefine both your goals and your solution. You have to convince the people out there that in fact it was an impossible task due to some esoteric mathematical principle (asymptotic behaviour) that magically makes it impossible to reduce NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine) down to drinking water standards which are 9 parts per trillion or .009 parts per billion. Hence your new solution to achieve the impossible is more time combined with a never ending search for the magic bullet that will maybe achieve your original goals. According to experts such a magic bullet does not exist nor is likely to.
Of course this alleged asymptotic behaviour falls apart even further when we examine chlorobenzene, Lanxess and the MECP's second favourite contaminant. While hiding behind some theory that the NDMA Concentration over Time curve can never achieve a zero concentration, in fact zero has never been the goal. The goal for NDMA was nine parts per trillion and for chlorobenzene it is eighty parts per billion. Neither are even close to that, much less zero. Who are they kidding?
Furthermore while pump and treat was and is the cheapest, least effective cleanup method it does not mean that it could never succeed . Of course the conditions and circumstances of having the polluter in full control of the cleanup would need to change and no the MECP are a pathetically impotent and coopted regulator also incapable of doing the job. At the same time some well known and respected other technologies could and should be incorporated. Magic bullets are for liars and magicians only.
It appears to me that everybody is tired and wants to cut and run with their dignity intact which they do not deserve. They want to pat each other on the back and claim victory. What a disgusting victory indeed. Elmira's groundwater is still toxic and nothing has been cleaned up in the downstream Canagagigue Creek.
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