Modeling of the Elk river spill 2014

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Water Quality Management
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• The 2014 Elk River chemical spill involved 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM), a substance with significant health implications.
• Contamination of drinking water sources by chemical spills poses a critical public health and environmental challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To simulate the dispersion and advection of MCHM following the 2014 Elk River chemical spill.
• To predict MCHM concentrations at downstream water treatment plants on the Elk and Kanawha rivers.
• To assess the risk to drinking water supplies posed by the MCHM contamination.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a dispersion-advection model to simulate the chemical spill.
• Employed both numerical and analytical solutions for concentration prediction.
• Compared model predictions with measured MCHM concentrations.

Main Results:

• Modeled MCHM concentrations were of similar magnitude to measured values.
• A time-lag was observed between the arrival of the modeled and measured MCHM plumes.
• The spill posed a serious health threat to a water treatment plant on the Elk River and a contamination risk to plants on the Kanawha River.

Conclusions:

• The dispersion-advection model provides a valuable tool for assessing chemical spill impacts on water quality.
• Systematic errors may contribute to discrepancies in plume arrival times.
• Effective risk management strategies are crucial for protecting drinking water sources from chemical contamination.