Groundwater contamination in the 200 Areas of the Hanford Site in Washington was studied to prioritize and speed up cleanup efforts. The researchers focused on identifying harmful contaminants, mapping their distribution, and developing a plan to quickly remediate the most critical ones. The study revealed over 25 chemical and radioactive plumes in the area, some reaching the Columbia River. By evaluating existing data and conducting field investigations, the team pinpointed high-priority contaminant areas for accelerated remediation actions.