How TCE Contaminates Groundwater

Trichloroethylene (TCE) released into the environment can migrate through soil and contaminate groundwater. This visualization shows how a TCE source can create a contaminant plume that moves with groundwater beneath an industrial site.

About This Video

This OSHACode® visualization illustrates how trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination can migrate beneath an industrial facility and form a groundwater contaminant plume.

The animation follows a release from the source area through the subsurface and into the saturated zone. Once groundwater is contaminated, dissolved TCE can migrate with groundwater flow, creating a plume that may extend beyond the original release area.

Understanding the location of the source, groundwater-flow direction, subsurface geology, and contaminant distribution is important when investigating and characterizing contaminated sites.

This video is part of the OSHACode® HAZWOPER Visual Library, a collection of technical safety, environmental, and scientific visualizations designed to make complex concepts easier to understand.

How Does a TCE Groundwater Plume Form?

TCE released at or below the ground surface can migrate through soil and potentially reach groundwater. Once TCE is present in groundwater, dissolved contamination can be transported in the direction of groundwater flow while also being influenced by subsurface geology, chemical properties, and other site-specific conditions.

Environmental investigations use monitoring wells, groundwater sampling, geological information, and other site-characterization data to determine the extent and movement of groundwater contamination.