Numerical modeling of natural and enhanced denitrification processes in aquifers

Nitrate modeling in the groundwater environment must incorporate microbial denitrification as the major process of nitrate elimination. A multispecies transport model is presented which describes the interaction of oxygen, nitrate, organic carbon, and bacteria. Three phases (mobile pore water, biophase, and aquifer material) are taken into account. The model is applied to a natural aquifer situation as well as to an in situ remediation case where nitrate is employed as an oxidant. In the natural aquifer it is shown that the release of organic carbon from the matrix is the controlling factor for denitrification. In the remediation case, on the other hand, the data suggest that diffusion limitation of the nutrient supply to the biophase controls bacterial growth.