Modeling of the Elk river spill 2014

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2015 May;22(10):7980-5. doi: 10.1007/s11356-015-4331-z. Epub 2015 Mar 28.

Abstract

A dispersion-advection model was used to simulate the Elk river chemical spill 2014. The numerical and analytical solutions were used to predict the concentrations of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM) at the water treatment plants located along the Elk and Kanawha rivers. The results are of similar magnitude as measured concentrations although a time-lag was found between modeled and measured plume arrival likely due to accumulation of systematic errors. Considering MCHM guidelines for drinking water, the spill represented a serious health threat through the water up taken by the treatment plant located on the Elk river and it also constituted a risk of contamination for the drinking water produced by treatment plants located on the Kanawha river.

MeSH terms

  • Chemical Hazard Release*
  • Cyclohexanes / analysis*
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Rivers*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*
  • West Virginia

Substances

  • Cyclohexanes
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • methylcyclohexane