Integrated Environmental Forensics Approach for Evaluating the Extent of Dissolved Perchlorate Originating from Multiple Sources

Abstract

Three environmental forensic methods were used as part of an integrated evaluation to determine the extent of dissolved perchlorate in groundwater originating from a former rocket propellant testing site in Southern California. The methods included the evaluation of groundwater modeling, subsurface environmental conditions, and isotopic fingerprinting. While these methods have been used independently in environmental forensics, this study is the first to document the combined use of the methods to evaluate the extent of dissolved perchlorate in groundwater. Taken together, the results of this study indicated that the perchlorate originating from a former rocket propellant testing site is under hydraulic control and that multiple sources of perchlorate exist within the same hydrogeologic basin.

Keywords:

• perchlorate
• groundwater modeling
• isotopic fingerprinting
• geochemical evaluation

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Dr. Bruce Sass and Dr. Neil Sturchio for the generous help provided during the investigation and preparation of the manuscript.