The main aim of this study was to determine the sorption and biodegradation parameters of trichloroethene (TCE) and tetrachloroethene (PCE) as input data required for their fate and transport modelling in a Quaternary sandy aquifer. Sorption was determined based on batch and column experiments, while biodegradation was investigated using the compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA). The aquifer materials medium (soil 1) to fine (soil 2) sands and groundwater samples came from the representative profile of the contaminated site (south-east Poland). The sorption isotherms were approximately linear (TCE, soil 1, K _d = 0.0016; PCE, soil 1, K _d = 0.0051; PCE, soil 2, K _d = 0.0069) except for one case in which the best fitting was for the Langmuir isotherm (TCE, soil 2, K _f = 0.6493 and S _max = 0.0145). The results indicate low retardation coefficients (R) of TCE and PCE; however, somewhat lower values were obtained in batch compared to column experiments. In the column experiments with the presence of both contaminants, TCE influenced sorption of PCE, so that the R values for both compounds were almost two times higher. Non-significant differences in isotope compositions of TCE and PCE measured in the observation points (δ¹³C values within the range of −23.6 ÷ −24.3 ‰ and −26.3 ÷−27.7 ‰, respectively) indicate that biodegradation apparently is not an important process contributing to the natural attenuation of these contaminants in the studied sandy aquifer.

Natural Attenuation (NA) in the case of groundwater contaminated with organic compounds relies mainly on intrinsic biodegradation processes. The aim of reliance on natural processes is to achieve site-specific cleanup objectives within reasonable time frames and costs. Such approach may be considered as a risk reduction/remedial option for groundwater contaminated with trichloroethene (TCE) and tetrachloroethene (PCE). This case study presents implementation of the US EPA’s guideline „Technical protocol for evaluating natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents in groundwater” to asses intrinsic biodegradation potentials in TCE and PCE contaminated groundwater in the vicinity of Nowa Deba waterworks (south-east Poland). Literature and field data collected from wells and piezometers were used to develop a conceptual model of contaminants’ fate and transport from a source to a receptor. The intrinsic biodegradation was investigated basing on available analytical parameters (eg concentrations of oxygen, nitrates, chlorides, and pH, TOC and temperature) that are considered as indicators of TCE and PCE transformation. Preliminary screening was done by giving certain points for these parameters, and interpreted in order to asses intrinsic biodegradation potentials. The results indicate inadequate evidence for intrinsic biodegradation (reductive dehalogention) of TCE and PCE, thus a limited potential for NA as a remedial/risk reduction option in the studied case, unless some measures for enhancement of TCE and PCE intrinsic biodegradation are applied.

As a result of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive and the Groundwater Directive, and the consequent restriction of Polish law regulations, groundwater contamination with trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) was detected at numerous sites in Poland, including groundwater in the vicinity of the waterworks in Nowa Dęba. It is expected that the problem will growth with time as it was observed in the other European countries and the USA in the 80's and 90's, after implementation of drinking water standards for TCE and PCE. Consequently, there is an increasing need to investigate these sites and the effects of contaminants in groundwater, especially on these sites where groundwater is used as a resource of drinking water.