This will be accomplished by detailed mineralogical, petrographic, chemical and isotopic analyses of carefully preseved sediment samples. Samples will be collected from sites exposed to leachate for varying duration as well as uncontaminated sites. In addition, experimental studies will be applied to simulating conditions in the alluvium to understand controls on hydraulic conducivity and transport of dissolved ions such as ammonium.
Natural processes can effectively reduce the toxicity of some contaminants.
Many of the processes vary in effectiveness depending on the supply of nutrients and electron acceptors contained in solid constituents of the aquifer. Research at the Norman Landfill will develop tools effective in evaluating the availability of reactive constituents so that reliable assessments of remediation can be made at a wide range of contaminated sites.