Enhancing groundwater remediation efficiency through integrating Pump-and-Treat system and groundwater circulation well

The Pump-and-Treat (P&T) and Groundwater Circulation Well (GCW) are two remediation techniques that are commonly employed for the removing contaminants from an aquifer. However, both methods have inherent limitations, including diminishing returns and the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of aquifer characteristics. The combination of P&T and GCW has the potential to overcome the limitations of each method while maintaining the advantages of both. The objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of jointly operated GCW and P&T in the remediation of contaminants. To achieve these goals, a sandbox experiment and numerical simulations were employed. The findings demonstrate that the integration of GCW with P&T results in a more effective and dynamic hydraulic regime than the conventional single-technology approach. The jointly operated system demonstrates enhanced efficiency in contaminant capture, with an expanded radius of influence (ROI) compared to the use of either method alone. Furthermore, the GCW reduces the size of unsaturated zones created by P&T, thereby enhancing the overall remediation effectiveness. This innovative hybrid approach improves contaminant capture, making it a promising strategy for effective and sustainable groundwater remediation, especially in complex geological environments.