Organic Compounds in Near Surface Environments Describes USGS studies of organic contaminants in groundwater, including landfill leachate and petroleum spills. Focus is on biological and chemical processes that control contaminant fate. In order to predict the short and longterm fate of toxic organic substances in a variety of aquatic environments, it is necessary to determine the physical properties of these compounds and to understand their biogeochemical fate. The transport, sorption, volatilization, and biodegradation of organic compounds are investigated in a variety of hydrogeologic environments. The relative importance of different removal processes and the geochemical alterations resulting from organicinorganic interactions are quantified under different environmental conditions and incorporated into conceptual and numerical models. The approach involves longterm environmental studies of biogeochemical processes in contaminated aquifers, coupled with laboratory studies aimed at identifying specific pieces of the complicated fate and transport puzzle.

Website: http://water.usgs.gov/nrp/organic/