EHS Support team members Andrew Fowler, Robert Lee, Katherine Telfeyan, and Nigel Goulding recently published a peer-reviewed paper in Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation.
The article, “Natural Source Zone Depletion Rates from Groundwater Temperature,” presents a method for calculating the Natural Source Zone Depletion (NSZD) rate attributable to downward heat flux into the saturated zone using groundwater temperature measurements in the saturated zone. The paper also provides a freely available R and python script to perform the rate calculation.
This article was developed by EHS Support professionals with experience in groundwater remediation, contaminant fate and transport, and NSZD evaluation.
NSZD rate estimates play a critical role in light nonaqueous phase liquid management and remediation decision-making. Many existing methods rely on data that can be costly or difficult to obtain and may not account for downward heat flux. This approach offers a practical option for improving NSZD estimates, particularly in the early stages of evaluation where existing groundwater monitoring data may be the primary source of information.
This work reflects EHS Support’s ongoing commitment to contributing practical insights that support effective site characterization, monitoring, and remediation planning.
Access the full publication here: Natural Source Zone Depletion Rates from Groundwater Temperature
