Source apportionment of trichloroethylene in groundwater of the industrial complex in Wonju, Korea: a 15-year dispute and perspective

The groundwater of an industrial complex has been contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE) since 1995. High levels of TCE exceeding the Korean groundwater standard can still be found. However, ongoing controversial debate on the contamination source has hindered the remedial works. Wonju city suggested a single source, while the Gangwon Province considered multiple sources. The TCE plume appeared as two separate plumes rather than a single plume. Carbon tetrachloride (CT), a formerly used solvent, formed a plume but its extent was restricted to the left half of the overall TCE plume. The soil contamination survey revealed the existence of at least two contamination source areas. All the evidences pointed to the asphalt test laboratory as being one of the major sources, but the possibility of other sources cannot be excluded. The maximum extent of the TCE contamination caused by the asphalt laboratory may have been restricted to the left half of the overall TCE plume.