20.500.12556/DiRROS-24413 Identification of a PCE contamination source in an intergranular aquifer using a simulation–optimisation framework: a case study of Ljubljana polje, Slovenia Identification of contamination sources is critical for effective remediation planning in contaminated aquifers. This study presents a simulation–optimisation framework that was developed to reconstruct the release history and identify the potential source location after tetrachloroethene (PCE) concentrations that exceeded regulatory limits were detected in production and monitoring wells at the Hrastje well field. The approach integrates a physically based groundwater flow and solute transport model with an evolutionary algorithm to estimate unknown source parameters. The method was tested under realistic field conditions, accounting for the complexity and uncertainty of the subsurface environment. In the optimisation procedure, parameter values converged towards optimal estimates, and the simulated PCE concentrations in monitored wells showed good agreement with the observed values. The delineated source location and the reconstructed temporal and spatial dynamics of PCE contamination in the aquifer provide essential guidance for decision makers in designing and prioritising remediation strategies. By narrowing the potential source area, more targeted and cost-effective field investigations can be planned. The developed model offers a practical tool for evaluating alternative remediation scenarios, supporting adaptive water resource management and safeguarding the drinking water supply. groundwater contamination remediation planning drinking water protection well field management modelling true false true Angleški jezik Ni določen Neznano 2025-11-27 03:58:46 2026-01-09 12:48:01 2026-01-10 03:48:46 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2025 0 0 11 str. no. 22 vol. 17 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno apc 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 2025-11-14 556.3 2073-4441 10.3390/w17223251 258789635 water-17-03251-2.pdf water-17-03251-2.pdf 1 9A23A5AF7016114374EA1E84F0C8F1BF 72f5847b591c0e643355f6216e5b6917ac4438ed697134835c2352ecbea75c5f 649d1453-ed51-11f0-94a7-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=37756 https://zenodo.org/records/17597364 0 70eaff86-ed51-11f0-94a7-001a4af901a5 https://dirros.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=37757 Geološki zavod Slovenije 0 0 0