Hierarchical groundwater modeling at the Zephyr site, Muskegon, Michigan: Evaluating the effectiveness of the remediation capture system

In this thesis, a hierarchical groundwater modeling system integrating the 10m Digital Elevation Model and site-specific hydrogeologic data was developed for the Zephyr site, Muskegon, Michigan. The site is currently under active remediation using pump and treats through a network of 60 low capacity wells and 10 injection trenches. The hierarchical system was calibrated to steady state water level data from 128 on-site monitoring wells with and without remediation stresses.;Through a series of nested "patch dynamic" models, the hierarchical system enables accurate simulation of detailed, complex well dynamics and capture zone distributions associated with very low capacity wells. Systematic model simulations, including forward and reverse particle tracking, as well as, integrated water budget analyses, were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the remediation.;The results show that current remediation system is unable to capture contaminated groundwater and significant gaps exist between purge wells and offsite migration exists.