title: Effects of groundwater velocity on sampling intervals for contaminant-detection networks in aquifers.
abstract: This study evaluated how groundwater velocity affects the sampling interval of a groundwater monitoring network and its ability to intercept contaminant plumes before reaching a buffer zone boundary. A computer simulation model tested the detection capability of a groundwater-monitoring network in different groundwater velocity settings. A 0.4-m/d velocity registered a maximum sampling interval of four months. By comparison, decreasing the velocity to 0.04 m/d resulted in a 3-year maximum sampling interval. Groundwater velocity exerts a strong control on the maximum sampling interval of contaminant detection networks in aquifers. Assigning an arbitrary sampling interval, that does not take into account a site's hydrogeology, could waste financial resources or allow contaminants to reach a buffer zone boundary without being detected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203-5279, USA.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Hudak
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013997:Time Factors; D014872:Water Movements; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D012989:Soil Pollutants