Publications

Evaluation of groundwater monitoring studies on a sub-catchment scale

Using a higher-tier coupled modelling approach

Using a higher-tier coupled modelling approach to support the evaluation of groundwater monitoring studies on a sub-catchment scale

Wenkui He1, Paul Edwards2, Dirk Liss3, Stefan Reichenberger1, Sebastian Multsch1, Markus Schneider3, Paul Sweeney2, Herbert Resseler4

1 knoell Germany GmbH, Germany
2 Syngenta Ltd., Bracknell, UK
3 SGS Institut Fresenius GmbH, Taunusstein, Germany
4 Syngenta Agro GmbH, Maintal, Germany

In the regulatory assessment of plant protection products in the European Union groundwater monitoring is recommended as a higher-tier option (EC2014). The aim of the study was to support the evaluation of groundwater monitoring studies on a sub-catchment scale and address some of the regulatory concerns with regard to such studies. Questions on representativeness of sampling and well/screen position should be answered using a higher-tier modelling approach. The one-dimensional leaching model FOCUS-PEARL was therefore coupled with the multi-dimensional scientific software OpenGeoSys following the methodologyin. In a first step, measured concentrations of a non-relevant metabolite at the well were compared with simulated ones to demonstrate hydraulic connectivity and plausibility of the applied approach. After the first step was completed successfully, sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the influences of different configurations of well/screen position and screen length on measured concentrations.

Event: SETAC Europe, 2020