Latest from the TS-CHEM Blog

Check out the latest TS-CHEM Blog posts below, or click the button below to visit the TS-CHEM Blog to explore previous posts!

TS-CHEM Blog

Estimation of TS-CHEM Source Terms Using the Newly Released Soil Infiltration and Leaching Tool (SILT)

The “Soil Infiltration and Leaching Tool” (SILT), a Microsoft Excel-based spreadsheet utility that allows users to simulate one-dimensional contaminant fate and transport processes through the vadose zone in a simple, user-friendly environment. The SILT utility is a perfect companion to TS-CHEM, allowing site investigators to evaluate potential impacts to groundwater associated with contaminated soil, and estimate contaminant source terms that can then be incorporated into TS-CHEM and used to estimate the extent and duration of resulting contaminant plumes.

Learn more about SILT, and how it can be used to generate TS-CHEM source terms.

TS-CHEM Example Applications – Commingled Plume Analysis

The presence of commingled plume conditions at sites can be challenging for environmental professionals responsible for investigating and remediating impacted groundwater, making it difficult to determine the extent to which sources may contributing to the commingled plume, and in turn, who may be responsible for cleaning them up. In this Example Applications series Blog Post, we demonstrate how TS-CHEM can be used to perform quick and easy analyses that allow site investigators to not only quantify the impacts of the commingled plume (e.g., impacts to downgradient receptors) but also evaluate the individual contributions from each source.

Learn more about using TS-CHEM to analyze a comingled plume.

TS-CHEM Solution Library - AT123D-AT

The TS-CHEM program provides an easy-to-use software environment in which to analyze contaminant plume transport, and includes a comprehensive library of more than 30 different analytical solutions to the advection-dispersion equation. For this post in the Solution Library series, we will be focusing on the AT123D-AT family of models published by Dan Burrnell in 2012 which represents an updated version of the original AT123D model suite developed by G.T. Yeh.

Learn more about the AT123D-AT family of models, and how they can help evaluate groundwater plume transport scenarios.

TS-CHEM Example Applications – Natural Source Flushing with MNA

Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) is a popular remedial choice but requires data-driven lines of evidence to demonstrate that a site is a suitable candidate for MNA. In the second post in the TS-CHEM Example Application series, we look at a case where a gasoline spill has resulted in a benzene plume that threatens a nearby residential area. The source is cleaned up, but the responsible party would prefer to implement MNA for the resulting benzene plume. Luckily, TS-CHEM is the perfect tool to evaluate the growth and decay of a contaminant plume from a slowly flushing gasoline source in order to evaluate the potential impacts to receptors downgradient from the source area.

Learn more about using TS-CHEM to assess a site's suitability for MNA in the case of natural source flushing.

TS-CHEM Version 2023-1 Now Available!

A new version of TS-CHEM has been released! Updates include:

  • New color spectrum control for contour charts
  • Refined model setup parameter units conversion factors
  • Enforced QA check on model data save and reload process
  • Added plume boundary specification for log contour plots
  • Minor bug fixes

Learn more about how you can utilize the new features of TS-CHEM v2023-1 to customize your contour plots into customized report- or presentation-ready graphics for your plume transport modeling analyses.

State and Federal Guidance Spotlight - Use of TS-CHEM for Estimation of NJDEP Classification Exception Areas

There are a number of state and federal regulatory documents that prescribe the use of solute transport models to support site investigation and remediation activities, along with guidelines on the types of analyses that need to be performed, models that should be utilized, and in some instances, specific input parameters that must be incorporated into analyses. In this first post in the “State and Federal Guidance Spotlight” series, we take a look at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP’s) Classification Exception Area Guidance, and how TS-CHEM can be used to estimate plume extent and duration to support the delineation of Classification Exception Areas for sites where impacts to groundwater may be present.

Read more on use of TS-CHEM for CEA development.

TS-CHEM Example Application - Receptor Impact Assessment

TS-CHEM is not only simple and easy to use, but it can be applied to a number of different common situations when it comes to impacted groundwater, making it the perfect tool for environmental professionals who perform groundwater investigation and remediation activities. In this blog post, we introduce the first Example Application in the series, which demonstrates how TS-CHEM can be used to model the length of a contaminant plume (in this case a benzene plume) in order to determine if it will impact domestic wells at a nearby residential development.

Learn more about using TS-CHEM to model maximum plume extent.

1-D vs 3-D Transport Analysis of Contaminant Plume Extent

Contaminant plume analyses based on 1-D models are likely to overestimate plume extent. This may result in an overly-conservative assessment of impacts that are not likely to occur. More accurate evaluations of plume extent can be calculated using 3-D contaminant transport models. TS-CHEM provides a library of over 30 analytical 3D plume transport solutions for making these types of evaluations.

Learn more about 1-D and 3-D plume transport models, and how they compare in evaluating plume extent.

TS-CHEM Solution Library - ATRANS

The TS-CHEM program includes a comprehensive library of more than 30 different analytical solutions, each with different capabilities, including how they represent contaminant sources. For this first post in the Solution Library series, we will be focusing on the ATRANS family of models developed by Chris Neville at SS Papadopulos & Associates. In fact, the ATRANS1 model is included in the DEMO version of TS-CHEM!

Learn more about the ATRANS family of models, and how they can help evaluate groundwater plume transport scenarios.

New Features in TS-CHEM v2022-3

TS-CHEM v2022-3 has some great new features, including new options for BIOSCREEN-AT, Dark Mode (Mac version) and the ability to double-click project files to open them. But some of the most powerful features center around the new chart controls.

Learn more about the new features in TS-CHEM v2022-3.

TS-CHEM - The Swiss-Army Knife of Solute Transport Modeling

Environmental professionals are often tasked with investigating contaminated sites to understand the nature and extent of contamination in groundwater, and select an appropriate remedy that will effectively limit migration of impacted groundwater, treat it, and prevent groundwater plumes from reaching sensitive receptors. To do this, a sound conceptual site model (CSM) is necessary, which requires not only collection of adequate site data (including groundwater sampling data, water level elevation data, and information on site hydrogeologic conditions) and application of professional judgement, but also the use of data analysis tools and techniques that allow for a better understanding of the fate and transport of contaminants in groundwater.

Learn more about how TS-CHEM can assist with developing a sound CSM.

Visualize Your Modeled Plume with the New Map Overlay Feature

One of the most exciting recent additions to TS-CHEM is the new “Map Overlay” feature. After a concentration contour chart has been created and displayed, the TS-CHEM Map Overlay tool can be used to visualize the calculated plume. The plume is displayed as an overlay on a digital map, with the source located at the user-entered address. Attributes of the map and the plume can be modified using various Map Overlay controls.

Learn more about the TS-CHEM map overlay feature.

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