Impact of matrix diffusion on the migration of groundwater plumes for Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and other non-degradable compounds

Groundwater fate and transport modeling results demonstrate that matrix diffusion plays a role in attenuating the expansion of groundwater plumes of "non-degrading" or highly recalcitrant compounds. This is especially significant for systems where preferred destructive attenuation processes, such as biological and abiotic degradation, are weak or ineffective for plume control. Under these conditions, models of nondestructive physical attenuation processes, traditionally dispersion or sorption, do not demonstrate sufficient plume control unless matrix diffusion is considered. Matrix diffusion has been shown to be a notable emergent impact of geological heterogeneity, typically associated with back diffusion and extending remediation timeframes through concentration tailing of the trailing edge of a plume. However, less attention has been placed on evaluating how matrix diffusion can serve as an attenuation mechanism for the leading edge of a plume of non-degrading compounds like perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). In this study, the REMChlor-MD model was parametrically applied to a generic unconsolidated and heterogeneous geologic site with a constant PFOS source and no degradation of PFOS in the downgradient edge of the plume. Low levels of mechanical dispersion and retardation were used in the model for three different geologic heterogeneity cases ranging from no matrix diffusion (e.g., sand only) to considerable matrix diffusion using low permeability ("low-k") layers/lenses and/or aquitards. Our analysis shows that, in theory, many non-degrading plumes may expand for significant time periods before dispersion alone would eventually stabilize the plume; however, matrix diffusion can significantly slow the rate and degree of this migration. For one 100-year travel time scenario, consideration of matrix diffusion results in a simulated PFOS plume length that is over 80% shorter than the plume length simulated without matrix diffusion. Although many non-degrading plumes may continue to slowly expand over time, matrix diffusion resulted in lower concentrations and smaller plume footprints. Modeling multiple hydrogeologic settings showed that the effect of matrix diffusion is more significant in transmissive zones containing multiple low-k lenses/layers than transmissive zones underlain and overlain by low-k aquitards. This study found that at sites with significant matrix diffusion, groundwater plumes will be shorter, will expand more slowly, and may be amenable to a physical, retention-based, Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) paradigm. In this case, a small "Plume Assimilative Capacity Zone" in front of the existing plume could be reserved for slow, de minimus, future expansion of a non-degrading plume. If potential receptors are protected in this scenario, then this approach is similar to allowances for expanding plumes under some existing environmental regulatory programs. Accounting for matrix diffusion may support new strategic approaches and alternative paradigms for remediation even for sites and conditions with "non-degrading" constituents such as PFAAs, metals/metalloids, and radionuclides.