First-order Decay Model Research Articles

Human mitochondrial DNA and endogenous bacterial surrogates for risk assessment of graywater reuse.

Previous graywater risk assessment studies have focused on fecal contamination, yet the low density of fecal indicators may not provide the most useful approach to assess pathogen removal during graywater treatment. In this study, we employed high throughput bacterial sequencing and qPCR to elucidate potential microbial surrogates in wastewater sourced from an industrial laundry. In addition, we explored human mitochondrial DNA (HmtDNA) as a new, potentially more reliable molecular marker, because it can be unambiguously sourced, has a high copy number per cell, and is persistent when released from cells with no self-replication in graywater. Pyrosequencing and qPCR revealed that laundry water microbiota was dominated by the skin-associated bacteria Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, and Propionibacterium (6.5, 5.7, 5.4 log10 copies/100 mL, respectively). While HmtDNA was less abundant (2.8 log10 copies/100 mL), it showed a strong positive correlation with the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus (r=0.54, P=3.2×10(-4)) and closely followed a first-order exponential decay model (R2=0.98), remaining detectable in stored laundry graywater for up to 6 days at 20 °C. Based on abundance and persistence, we propose HmtDNA and total Staphylococcus as future laundry graywater treatment surrogates to potentially assess a wide dynamic range of pathogen removal.

Assessment of Suspended Solid Removal in a Surface Flow Constructed Wetland Using a Three-Dimensional Numerical Model

Surface flow constructed wetlands (SFCWs) have been widely used to treat various types of wastewater and stormwater due to the advantages such as low costs for operating and maintenance compared with conventional treatment systems. In SFCW, the flow pattern, which is determined by the geometric features including bed morphology and vegetation distribution, significantly influences the removal processes of suspended solids and other pollutants. In this study, a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model, that integrates hydrodynamic model and the Lagrangian particle tracking model, is applied to determine the effectiveness of a SFCW in removing suspended solids based on the predicted flow characteristics and distribution of suspended solids in the wetland. After the validation, the three-dimensional numerical model is applied to illustrate the three-dimensional internal flow pattern in the wetland. The predicted concentrations of suspended solids at several cross-sections in downstream direction are compared with the field sampling data and also the results from a traditional first-order decay model. The results show that the 3D model performs reasonably well predicting complex flow fields associated with complex wetland geometry. This study indicates that the 3D model is an effective tool to support the management and operation of field SFCWs. Also, it can help to improve the design of SFCWs providing better understanding of interactions among the geometric features, the flow characteristics and the contaminants behaviors.

Toxicity and bioaccumulation of ethofumesate enantiomers in earthworm Eisenia fetida

Earthworms represent an important food source for many vertebrates and as a result, predators may encounter toxic effects via the food chain from consumption of contaminated worms. Therefore, including an assessment of xenobiotic to worms in risk assessment procedures is advisable. Here we studied the acute toxicity, bioaccumulation and elimination of ethofumesate enantiomers in earthworm, Eisenia fetida, in a soil. A slight difference in toxicity to earthworm between two enantiomers was found, and the calculated LC50 values for (+)-, rac- and (−)-ethofumesate were 4.51, 5.93 and 7.98μg/cm2, respectively, indicating that the acute toxicity of ethofumesate enantiomers was enantioselective. Earthworm can uptake ethofumesate but the bioaccumulation curve did not reach the steady state. In the elimination experiment, the concentrations of ethofumesate in earthworm declined following a first-order decay model with a short half life of 1.8d. The bioaccumulation and elimination of ethofumesate in earthworm were both nonenantioselective. In combination with other studies, a linear relationship between Log BSAFs and Log Kow was observed, and the Log BSAFs increased with increasing Log Kow. But the elimination rate did not show any correlation with the Kow value.

Can a first‐order exponential decay model fit heart rate recovery after resistance exercise?

The time-constant of postexercise heart rate recovery (HRRτ ) obtained by fitting heart rate decay curve by a first-order exponential fitting has being used to assess cardiac autonomic recovery after endurance exercise. The feasibility of this model was not tested after resistance exercise (RE). The aim of this study was to test the goodness of fit of the first-order exponential decay model to fit heart rate recovery (HRR) after RE. Ten healthy subjects participated in the study. The experimental sessions occurred in two separated days and consisted of performance of 1 set of 10 repetitions at 50% or 80% of the load achieved on the one-repetition maximum test [low-intensity (LI) and high-intensity (HI) sessions, respectively]. Heart rate (HR) was continuously registered before and during exercise and also for 10 min of recovery. A monoexponential equation was used to fit the HRR curve during the postexercise period using different time windows (i.e. 30, 60, 90, … 600 s). For each time window, (i) HRRτ was calculated and (ii) variation of HR explained by the model (R(2) goodness of fit index) was assessed. The HRRτ showed stabilization from 360 and 420 s on LI and HI, respectively. Acceptable R(2) values were observed from the 360 s on LI (R(2) > 0.65) and at all tested time windows on HI (R(2) > 0.75). In conclusion, this study showed that using a minimum length of monitoring (~420 s) HRR after RE can be adequately modelled by a first-order exponential fitting.

Assessment of landfill gas and methane emission at Keru landfill site, Jodhpur (India)

Jodhpur is densely populated and urbanised city of Rajasthan state. The population of the city is considerably increased in past few decades due to rapid urbanisation and industrialisation within the city. Presently inhabitants of Jodhpur generate about 392 t/d of MSW. MSW management has remained one of the most neglected areas of the municipal systems. About 70–80% of generated MSW is collected and dumped at Keru landfill site. Only 100 t of the collected MSW is treated through composting plant, therefore, along with residue from composting process, the majority of MSW is dumped at Keru landfill site. In the absence of LFG collection system, this landfill is a major source of air pollution due to generation of GHGs. In present study, various physico-chemical parameters of the MSW deposited at Keru landfill site were analysed for characterisation. First-order decay (FOD) model was used to estimate the LFG and methane generation potential of Keru landfill and the results are compared with applying modified triangular model (MTM) and has been proposed. Using FOD model the methane generation potential yields an estimate of 1.55 Gg/y, which accounts to about 0.08–0.31% of existing Indian landfill methane emission estimated, and 0.008% of global landfill methane emission. LFG and methane emission from Keru landfill for the year 2006–2011 has been estimated in this study and discussed with Indian and global implications of national methane emission.

Estimation of Methane Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Landfills in China Based on Point Emission Sources

The methane (CH4) emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills in China in 2007 were estimated based on database of the three-dimensional emission factors matrix and point sources, by an IPCC recommended FOD (firstorder decay) model. The location, capacity and age of landfills constitute the three dimensions of the emission factors matrix, which were obtained by laboratory analysis and in situ investigation. Key parameters such as waste composition, degradable organic carbon ratio, CH4 correction factor, oxidation factor and recovery rate, were carefully analyzed in terms of these three dimensions. The point sources database consists of 2,107 MSW landfills in cities and towns of China in 2007. The results show that the CH4 emissions from MSW landfills were 1.186 Mt in 2007. Compared with the CH4 emissions of 2.20 Mt in 2005, the significant discrepancy mainly comes from statistical data of landfills, e.g., number of landfills and amount of waste disposed in landfills. CH4 emissions were lower than 700 t for most of the landfills, whereas there were 279 landfills with emissions larger than 1,000 t, and only 10 landfills with emissions larger than 10,000 t. Jiangsu province ranks the largest emitter with 98,700 t while Tibet is the smallest emitter with 2,100 t. In general, the emissions from eastern provinces, such as Jiangsu, Guangdong and Zhejiang, were larger than those from western provinces, such as Ningxia, Tibet and Qinghai. CitationCai, B.-F., Liu, J.-G., Gao, Q.-X., et al., 2014. Estimation of methane emissions from municipal solid waste landfills in China based on point emission sources. Adv. Clim. Change Res. 5(2), doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1248.2014.081.

Full-Scale Field Research and Demonstration of Septage Bioreactor Landfill Technology

AbstractA septage bioreactor landfill was constructed and operated at a publicly owned landfill in the U.S. state of Michigan. Residential septage was processed onsite and injected into municipal solid waste (MSW) using subsurface injection lines (for supernatant) and surface infiltration pits (for sludge) to accelerate the solid waste-decomposition process. For comparison, a leachate bioreactor landfill was also constructed and operated onsite. By comparing the system performance from both bioreactors, the impact of septage addition was identified. Extensive datasets consisting of parameters such as waste temperature, waste-moisture content, leachate quality, landfill gas generation, and waste settlement were systematically evaluated. The waste temperature in both bioreactors was in accordance with a similar trend. Using leachate addition, the waste-moisture content in the leachate bioreactor was controlled to maintain similar moisture content as the septage bioreactor. Using a first-order decay model, t...

Comparison of first-order-decay modeled and actual field measured municipal solid waste landfill methane data

The first-order decay (FOD) model is widely used to estimate landfill gas generation for emissions inventories, life cycle assessments, and regulation. The FOD model has inherent uncertainty due to underlying uncertainty in model parameters and a lack of opportunities to validate it with complete field-scale landfill data sets. The objectives of this paper were to estimate methane generation, fugitive methane emissions, and aggregated collection efficiency for landfills through a mass balance approach using the FOD model for gas generation coupled with literature values for cover-specific collection efficiency and methane oxidation. This study is unique and valuable because actual field data were used in comparison with modeled data. The magnitude and variation of emissions were estimated for three landfills using site-specific model parameters and gas collection data, and compared to vertical radial plume mapping emissions measurements. For the three landfills, the modeling approach slightly under-predicted measured emissions and over-estimated aggregated collection efficiency, but the two approaches yielded statistically equivalent uncertainties expressed as coefficients of variation. Sources of uncertainty include challenges in large-scale field measurement of emissions and spatial and temporal fluctuations in methane flow balance components (generated, collected, oxidized, and emitted methane). Additional publication of sets of field-scale measurement data and methane flow balance components will reduce the uncertainty in future estimates of fugitive emissions.

Effect of Composting on the Fate of Steroids in Beef Cattle Manure

In this study, the fate of steroid hormones in beef cattle manure composting is evaluated. The fate of 16 steroids and metabolites was evaluated in composted manure from beef cattle administered growth promotants and from beef cattle with no steroid hormone implants. The fate of estrogens (primary detected as estrone), androgens, progesterone, and the fusarium metabolite and implant α-zearalanol was monitored in manure compost piles. First-order decay rates were calculated for steroid half-lives in compost and ranged from 8 d for androsterone to 69 d for 4-androstenedione. Other steroid concentration data could not be fit to first-order decay models, which may indicate that microbial processes may result in steroid production or synthesis in composting systems. We demonstrate that composting is an effective strategy to remove steroid hormones from manure. Total steroid hormone removal in composted beef cattle manure ranged from 79 to 87%.

Estimation of methane emission rate changes using age-defined waste in a landfill site

Long term methane emissions from landfill sites are often predicted by first-order decay (FOD) models, in which the default coefficients of the methane generation potential and the methane generation rate given by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are usually used. However, previous studies have demonstrated the large uncertainty in these coefficients because they are derived from a calibration procedure under ideal steady-state conditions, not actual landfill site conditions. In this study, the coefficients in the FOD model were estimated by a new approach to predict more precise long term methane generation by considering region-specific conditions. In the new approach, age-defined waste samples, which had been under the actual landfill site conditions, were collected in Hokkaido, Japan (in cold region), and the time series data on the age-defined waste sample’s methane generation potential was used to estimate the coefficients in the FOD model. The degradation coefficients were 0.0501/y and 0.0621/y for paper and food waste, and the methane generation potentials were 214.4mL/g-wet waste and 126.7mL/g-wet waste for paper and food waste, respectively. These coefficients were compared with the default coefficients given by the IPCC. Although the degradation coefficient for food waste was smaller than the default value, the other coefficients were within the range of the default coefficients. With these new coefficients to calculate methane generation, the long term methane emissions from the landfill site was estimated at 1.35×104m3-CH4, which corresponds to approximately 2.53% of the total carbon dioxide emissions in the city (5.34×105t-CO2/y).

Kinetic Models of Evaporation and Total Phenolics Degradation during Pomegranate Juice Concentration

Abstract Pomegranate juice was concentrated by conventional heating at different temperatures (45, 50, 55, 60, and 65°C), and the effect of temperature on evaporation rate and on thermal degradation of total phenolics was investigated. Concentration kinetics modeling was developed based on thin-layer drying models. The logarithmic model was found to give better predictions than the others. The temperature dependence of the model constants was expressed by polynomial relationships. In addition, a first-order decay model, with an Arrhenius and a polynomial dependency on temperature and water content, respectively, was used to describe the joint influence of temperature and moisture content on the thermal degradation of total phenolics in a concentration process of pomegranate juice.

하수재이용수의 유리잔류염소 수체감소 특성 연구

The reclaimed water has been highlighted as a representative alternative to solve the lacking water resources. This study examined the reduction of residual free chlorine by temperature (5, 15, 25°C) and initial injection concentration (1, 2, 4, 6 mg/L) in the reclaimed water and carried out propose on the calculating method of the optimal chlorine dosage. As the reclaimed water showed a very fast reaction with chlorine at the intial time comparing to that of drinking water, the existing general first-order decay model (Ct = Co(e b)) was not suitable for use. Accordingly, the reduction of residual free chlorine could be estimated in a more accurate way as a result of applying the exponential first-order decay model (Ct = a + b (e b)). (r = 0.872~0.988). As a result of calculating the bulk decay constant, it showed the highest result at 653 day under the condition of 1 mg/L, 25°C for the initial injection whereas it showed the lowest result at 3.42 day under the condition of 6 mg/L, 5°C for the initial injection. The bulk decay constant tends to increase as temperature increases, whereas the bulk decay constant tends to decrease as the initial injection concentration increases. More accurate calculation for optimal chlorine dosage could be done by using the experimental results for 30~5,040 min, after the entire response time is classified into 0~30 min and 30~5,040 min to calculate the optimal chlorine dosage. In addition, as a result of calculating the optimal chlorine dosage by temperature, the relationships of initial chlorine demand (y) by temperature (x) could be obtained such as y = 1.409 + 0.450x to maintain 0.2 mg/L of residual free chlorine at the time after 4 hours from the chlorine injection.

Diazinon residues and degradation kinetics for grapes under field conditions

The dissipation of diazinon (O,O-diethyl O-2-isopropyl-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl phosphorothioate) in grapes was investigated to determine its pre-harvest interval (PHI). Diazinon was applied to grapes at the recommended dosage (0.9 g a.i. L−1) and twice the recommended dosage (1.8 g a.i. L−1) three times, at the fruit formation stage, the sour stage, and the ripening stage, in a field trial with three replications. Samples were taken at 0, 1, 2, 4, 7, 11, 15, 20, 26 and 32 days after spraying. The residue was extracted using a water/methanol/acetonitrile (1:1:1, v/v/v) solvent and solid phase extraction was employed for cleanup. Quantitative analysis was performed using a gas chromatograph equipped with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector. The dissipation trend for the recommended dosage and twice the recommend dosage followed the simple first-order kinetic model (SFOK) (DT50 = 3.29 days, DT90 = 11 days, PHI = 13.5 days) and first-order double-exponential decay (FODED) model (DT50 = 1.08 days, DT90 = 5.82 days, PHI = 15.29 days), respectively. The average initial deposit of diazinon at the recommended dosage was 9.04 mg kg−1and for twice the recommended dosage was 27.38 mg kg−1and it dissipated rapidly within days of spraying.

Evaluation of methane generation rate and potential from selected landfills in Malaysia

Methane emissions and oxidation were measured during the wet and dry seasons at the Air Hitam, Jeram, and Sungai Sedu landfills in Malaysia. The resulting levels of methane emissions and oxidation were then modeled using the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change 1996 first order decay (FOD) model to obtain methane generation rate and potential values. Emissions measurements were performed using a fabricated static flux chamber. A combination of gas concentrations in soil profiles and surface methane and carbon dioxide emissions at four monitoring locations in each landfill was used to estimate the methane oxidation capacity. The methane potential value was 151.7 m3 t−1 for the Air Hitam and Jeram sanitary landfills and 75.9 m3 t−1 for the Sungai Sedu open dumping landfill. The methane generation rate value of the Jeram and Air Hitam sanitary landfills during the wet season was 0.136 year−1, while that of Jeram during the dry season was 0.072 year−1. The methane generation rate values of the Sungai Sedu open dumping landfill during the wet and dry seasons were 0.008 and 0.0049 year−1, respectively. The observed values of methane generation rate and potential assist to accurately estimate total methane emissions from Malaysian landfills using the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change FOD model.

Sorption and degradation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in soils

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are one class of the most urgent emerging contaminants, which have drawn much public and scientific concern due to widespread contamination in aquatic environment. Most studies on the environmental fate and behavior of PPCPs have focused on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Some other compounds with high concentrations were less mentioned. In this study, sorption and degradation of five selected PPCPs, including bisphenol A (BPA), carbamazepine (CBZ), gemfibrozil (GFB), octylphenol (OP), and triclosan (TCS) have been investigated using three different soils. Sorption isotherms of all tested PPCPs in soils were well described by Freundlich equation. TCS and OP showed moderate to strong sorption, while the sorption of GFB and CBZ in soils was negligible. Degradation of PPCPs in three soils was generally fitted first-order exponential decay model, with half-lives (t 1/2) varying from 9.8 to 39.1days. Sterilization could prolong the t 1/2 of PPCPs in soil, indicating that microbial activity played an important role in the degradation of these chemicals in soils. Degradation of PPCPs in soils was also influenced by the soil organic carbon (f oc) contents. Results from our data show that sorption to the soils varied among the different PPCPs, and their sorption affinity on soil followed the order of TCS > OP > BPA > GFB > CBZ. The degradation of the selected PPCPs in soil was influenced by the microbial activity and soil type. The poor sorption and relative persistence of CBZ suggest that it may pose a high leaching risk for groundwater contamination when recycled for irrigation.

An inexpensive strategy for facilitated recovery of metals and fermentation products by foam fractionation process

Microbial biosurfactants produce foam during aerobic-fermentation processes. The degree of foaminess and foam stability of the lipopeptide-biosurfactant produced by a marine Bacillus megaterium strain were investigated using simulated biosurfactant solution (SBS), biosurfactant broth without cells (BBWOC) and biosurfactant broth with cells (BBWC) in bubble column experiments. The experimental data for foam collapse were fitted using a first-order foam decay model. The first-order rate constant (k), a measure of foam stability, was maximum (k=0.0003S−1) for BBWOC in the pH range 6–9. However, maximum foam stability (k=0.0006S−1) was restricted to pH 7 for BBWC. Foam-based metal removal studies revealed that the metal removal followed a saturation model. The relative binding capacity of each divalent metal was greatly affected by the presence of other divalent metals. The order of lipopeptide binding capacity of the metals was Fe2+>Ca2+>Mg2+, with Fe2+ significantly influencing the foam stability. In case of Fe2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, maximum metal recovery of 64.7±4.3%, 52±3.1% and 41.4±3.6% respectively was observed at pH 7. The enrichment (E) of the other media components, including cells, was comparatively insignificant. The results of this study have implications in designing and optimizing biosurfactant or protein recovery in situ by foam fractionation as an inexpensive strategy, and also in facilitated metal recovery from industrial effluents and ores.

폐기물매립지에서의 온실가스 발생량 예측 모델 및 변수 산정방법 개발

본 연구의 목적은 폐기물매립지에서의 온실가스 발생량 예측모델 및 모델에 적용된 변수들의 산정방법을 개발하는 것이다. 본 연구에서는 온실가스 발생예측 모델 중 1차 반응모델의 변수인 메탄잠재발생량과 메탄발생속도상수를 평가하기 위하여 수정 Gompertz 식과 Logistic 식을 미분한 2개의 식을 적용하였다. 변수들은 실제 폐기물매립지에서의 매립가스 발생량에 대한 실측값과 예측값과의 통계학적 비교를 통해 산정하였다. 매립가스 발생량에 대한 실측값과 수정 Gompertz 식 및 Logistic 식을 미분하여 나타낸 2개의 식을 이용한 매립가스 발생량 예측값에 대한 회귀분석결과 결정계수는 각각 0.92와 0.94로 나타나, 폐기물매립지에서의 매립가스 발생량에 대한 측정값이 있을 경우 회귀분석을 통해 변수를 산정할 수 있는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 실측값이 없는 폐기물매립지에서의 온실가스 발생량을 예측할 수 있도록 하기 위하여 수정 Gompertz 식과 Logistic 식을 미분한 2개의 식을 기초로 하여 예측모델을 개발하였으며, 이 모델들의 정확성을 평가하기 위하여 Qcs(실측값):Q(예측값)의 비에 대한 빈도분포를 평가한 결과 LandGEM 모델보다 높은 정확성을 나타내었다. 따라서 본 연구에서 개발한 모델들은 폐기물매립지에서의 온실가스 발생량 예측에 적합한 것으로 사료된다. The objective of this research is to develop greenhouse gas generation models and estimation method of their parameters for solid waste landfills. Two models obtained by differentiating the Modified Gompertz and Logistic models were employed to evaluate two parameters of a first-order decay model, methane generation potential (<TEX>$L_0$</TEX>) and methane generation rate constant (k). The parameters were determined by the statistical comparison of predicted gas generation rate data using the two models and actual landfill gas collection data. The values of r-square obtained from regression analysis between two data showed that one model by differentiating the Modified Gompetz was 0.92 and the other model by differentiating the Logistic was 0.94. From this result, the estimation methods showed that <TEX>$L_0$</TEX> and k values can be determined by regression analysis if landfill gas collection data are available. Also, new models based on two models obtained by differentiating the Modified Gompertz and Logistic models were developed to predict greenhouse gas generation from solid waste landfills that actual landfill generation data could not be available. They showed better prediction than LandGEM model. Frequency distribution of the ratio of Qcs (LFG collection system) to Q (prediction value) was used to evaluate the accuracy of the models. The new models showed higher accuracy than LandGEM model. Thus, it is concluded that the models developed in this research are suitable for the prediction of greenhouse gas generation from solid waste landfills.

Estimate of the Decay Rate Constant of Hydrogen Sulfide from Drywall in a Simulated Bench-Scale Study

AbstractResearch was conducted to investigate the impact of particle size on H2S gas emissions and estimate a decay rate constant for H2S gas generation from the anaerobic decomposition of drywall. Three different particle sizes of regular drywall and one particle size of paperless drywall were evaluated. The experiment was conducted in a carbon-limited environment. The paperless drywall generated significantly less H2S gas than regular drywall at the same particle size. No significant differences were found between the rates of H2S gas generated from the different particle sizes of regular drywall investigated (p=0.44), which most likely was the result of the carbon limitation. The volume of H2S gas emitted from drywall was modeled as a first-order decay with correction factors that take into account the impacts of pH, temperature, and liquid-gas partitioning. The first-order decay model resulted in an average decay constant value of 0.14±0.01 and 0.031 year−1 for regular and paperless drywall, respecti...

Wet landfill decomposition rate determination using methane yield results for excavated waste samples

An increasing number of landfills are operated to accelerate waste decomposition through liquids addition (e.g., leachate recirculation) as a wet landfill. Landfill design and regulation often depend on utilizing landfill gas production models that require an estimate of a first-order gas generation rate constant, k. Consequently, several studies have estimated k using collected gas volumes from operating wet landfills. Research was conducted to examine an alternative approach in which k is estimated not from collected landfill gas but from solid waste samples collected over time and analyzed for remaining gas yield. To achieve this goal, waste samples were collected from 1990 through 2007 at two full-scale landfills in Florida that practiced liquids addition. Methane yields were measured from waste samples collected over time, including periods before and after leachate recirculation, and the results were applied to a first-order decay model to estimate rate constants for each of the sites. An initial, intensive processing step was conducted to exclude non-biodegradable components from the methane yield testing procedure. The resulting rate constants for the two landfills examined were 0.47yr−1 and 0.21yr−1. These results expectedly exceeded the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s rate constants for dry and conventional landfills (0.02–0.05yr−1), but they are comparable to wet landfill rate constants derived using landfill gas data (0.1–0.3yr−1).

Relative contribution of DNAPL dissolution and matrix diffusion to the long-term persistence of chlorinated solvent source zones

The relative contribution of dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) dissolution versus matrix diffusion processes to the longevity of chlorinated source zones was investigated. Matrix diffusion is being increasingly recognized as an important non-DNAPL component of source behavior over time, and understanding the persistence of contaminants that have diffused into lower permeability units can impact remedial decision-making. In this study, a hypothetical DNAPL source zone architecture consisting of several different sized pools and fingers originally developed by Anderson et al. (1992) was adapted to include defined low permeability layers. A coupled dissolution–diffusion model was developed to allow diffusion into these layers while in contact with DNAPL, followed by diffusion out of these same layers after complete DNAPL dissolution. This exercise was performed for releases of equivalent masses (675kg) of three different compounds, including chlorinated solvents with solubilities ranging from low (tetrachloroethene (PCE)), moderate (trichloroethene (TCE)) to high (dichloromethane (DCM)). The results of this simple modeling exercise demonstrate that matrix diffusion can be a critical component of source zone longevity and may represent a longer-term contributor to source longevity (i.e., longer time maintaining concentrations above MCLs) than DNAPL dissolution alone at many sites. For the hypothetical TCE release, the simulation indicated that dissolution of DNAPL would take approximately 38years, while the back diffusion from low permeability zones could maintain the source for an additional 83years. This effect was even more dramatic for the higher solubility DCM (97% of longevity due to matrix diffusion), while the lower solubility PCE showed a more equal contribution from DNAPL dissolution vs. matrix diffusion. Several methods were used to describe the resulting source attenuation curves, including a first-order decay model which showed that half-life of mass discharge from the matrix-diffusion dominated phase is in the range of 13 to 29years for TCE. Because the mass discharge rate shifts significantly over time once DNAPL dissolution is complete, a Power-Law model was shown to be useful, especially at later stages when matrix diffusion dominates. An assessment of mass distribution showed that while relatively small percentages of the initial source mass diffused into the low permeability compartment, this mass was sufficient to sustain concentrations above drinking water standards for decades. These data show that relatively typical conditions (e.g., 50-year-old release, moderate to high solubility contaminant) are consistent with late stage sources, where mass in low permeability matrices serves as the primary source, and fit the conceptual model that mass in low permeability zones is important when evaluating source longevity.