Using soil and contaminant properties to assess the potential for groundwater contamination to the lower Great Lakes, USA

Contaminant risk factors in surface soil were evaluated within the urbanized Rouge River watershed in southeastern Michigan, USA, which includes metropolitan Detroit. An analytical risk factor model and Geographic Information Systems overlays were used to quantify and characterize the potential impacts of five categories of contaminants including DNAPLs (dense nonaqueous phase liquids), LNAPLs (light nonaqueous phase liquids), PAHs (polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons), PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and lead. The results indicate that DNAPL compounds released into sand, moraine, and sandy and silty clay soil types have the greatest potential to affect groundwater, and impact the Great Lakes ecosystem and the public health.