BIOPLUME III is a 2D, finite difference model for simulating the natural attenuation of organic contaminants in ground-water due to the processes of advection, dispersion, sorption, and biodegradation. Biotransformation processes are potentially important in the restoration of aquifers contaminated with organic pollutants. As a result, these processes require evaluation in remedial action planning studies associated with hydrocarbon contaminants.

It is based on the USGS solute transport code MOC and solves the solute transport equation six times to determine the fate and transport of the hydrocarbons and the electron acceptors (O2, NO3-, Fe3+, SO42-, and CO2) and the reaction by-products (Fe2+). A number of aerobic and anaerobic electron acceptors such as oxygen, nitrate, sulfate, iron (III) and carbon dioxide have been considered in this model to simulate the biodegradation of organic contaminants.

Three different kinetic expressions can be used to simulate the aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation reactions. These include: first-order decay, instantaneous reaction and Monod kinetics. The principal of superposition is used to combine the hydrocarbon plume with the electron acceptor plumes. The model has been integrated with a sophisticated ground-water modeling platform known as EIS. A graphical user platform allows the user to create, enter and edit data for model simulation. Discretization of time and space, hydrogeologic characteristics of the aquifer, initial and boundary conditions, sources and sinks, sorption, source decay, radioactive decay, ion-exchange and biodegradation variables are the different input parameters of the model.

The model generates a standard output file that lists the results from a specific model run. This output file lists the input data for the run followed by computed head and concentration maps. Simulation results are also shown graphically. Data can be extracted and used in conjunction with a graphics generation software program to generate graphical results from the model.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

IBM compatible personal computer with a 486 processor (or faster), 800 MB or larger hard (fixed) disk, At least 8 MB of RAM; 16 MB if you are using memory-resident programs on a network or Windows 95/98, A Microsoft Windows Compatible graphics adapter and a compatible color graphics monitor, Microsoft Disk Operating System (DOS) version 3.0 or higher.

The program can be downloaded from EPA site.

Developers: U. S. Geological Survey