PRISM® is a state-of-the-art investigative approach that constructs a predictive 3-dimensional (3-D) geologic framework to better evaluate preferential groundwater flow pathways and contaminant transport. The value of focusing on preferential paths is even more important for PFAS, as many perfluorinated compounds move unretarded over long distances in water, often creating very long and narrow groundwater problems that can be costly to investigate or mitigate.

Unlike traditional methods of subsurface investigation, which often fail to properly characterize heterogeneity, PRISM® leverages petroleum industry best practices of sequence stratigraphy and facies analysis to create detailed cross sections of sediment layering that are consistent with known depositional patterns. These cross sections are then combined with hydrology and chemistry data to build fully-integrated, comprehensive Conceptual Site Models (CSMs) that can be used to develop more effective investigative and remedial strategies, and that have been proven to reduce time to site closure.

PRISM® is applicable to all phases of groundwater study and, to date, has been successfully implemented at more than 100 complex sites globally. It has been widely adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) as a trustworthy tool for developing robust CSMs and is a scalable solution for a range of PFAS-related challenges, including:

• Accurate identification of preferential contaminant migrations pathways and areas of greatest mass transport
• Enhance 3-D visualization and numerical models to better evaluate and predict PFAS fate and transport
• Plume delineation to effectively assess risk
• Adequately identify and address data gaps
• Streamline Site Investigation activities and improve remedy efficiency
• Characterize groundwater-surface water interactions
• Litigation Support

As such, wherever the challenges of protecting human health and the environment arise and groundwater flow is a transport mechanism, environmental scientists should evaluate PRISM® as one of the best tools for managing PFAS flow and transport.