EPA OnSite Calculators Feedback

Acknowledgement

Plumes can dive because of aquifer recharge. The Plume Diving calculator can estimate the prospects for plume diving assuming simplified flow in a water table aquifer. Inputs to the calculator are the hydraulic conductivity, recharge rate, and head at two points in the aquifer. Taken together all of these parameters determine flow in the aquifer, so a means of calculating the flow is needed.

Plumes can dive because of aquifer recharge. When clean recharge water overlies a contaminant plume there is a possibility that well screens or other monitoring points will not be placed in the correct location for even detecting the plume. The Plume Diving calculator can estimate the prospects for plume diving assuming simplified flow in a water table aquifer. If the plume is shown to dive, then the monitoring points can be placed at appropriate locations for a correct assessment of site conditions. Inputs to the calculator are the hydraulic conductivity, recharge rate, and head at two points in the aquifer.