In this work we present an iterative algorithm for solving a parameter identification problem relative to a system of diffusion, convection and reaction equations. The parameters to estimate are the retardation factors, diffusivity, reaction and transport coefficients relative to a model of pollutant transport with chemical reaction. The proposed method solves the nonlinear least squares problem by means of a sequence of constrained optimization problems. The algorithm does not depend on the type of discretization method used to solve the state equation. The results reported in the numerical tests show the efficiency of the algorithm in terms of performance and solution quality.