Simulation of a reactive tracer experiment using stochastic hydraulic conductivity fields

Reactive tracer tests are performed to derive flow, transport and in situ biodegradation parameters. This paper describes the 3D simulation of a reactive tracer test using the transition probability geostatistical approach. Fifty different equally probable aquifer realizations were generated based on the geological information of 107 boreholes in an area of 62,500 m(2). One realization was chosen for the reactive transport simulation based on the results of groundwater flow modeling and on particle tracking calculations for the site. Field velocities at the site vary between 0.4 and 3 m/d. The transport of the reactive tracers deuterium ring labeled toluene-d(5) and fully deuterated toluene-d(8) was simulated and first-order biodegradation rates of 0.017 d(-1) for toluene-d(5) and 0.012 d(-1) for toluene-d(8) were determined.