Push–pull partitioning tracer tests using radon-222 to quantify non-aqueous phase liquid contamination

Davis, Brian M.; Istok, Jonathan D.; Semprini, Lewis

doi:10.1016/s0169-7722(02)00010-4

Cited by 52 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Over estimation of NAPL saturations when using the analytical solution to interpret data from push-pull partitioning tracer tests has also been noted in other studies. Davis et al (2002) found that the analytical solution resulted in average saturation estimates that were 3-4 times higher than the actual overall saturation, but did not offer an explanation of the overestimation. also found that applying the analytical solution to push-pull BTC resulted in an overestimation of average saturation, but did not report the magnitude of the overestimates.…”

Section: Equilibrium Push-pull Modelmentioning

confidence: 84%

Metric Identification and Protocol Development for Characterizing DNAPL Source Zone Architecture and Associated Plume Response

Abriola¹,

Miller²,

Pennell³

et al. 2013

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Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing this collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports (0704-0188), 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. PLEASE DO NOT RETURN YOUR FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY)2. REPORT TYPE SPONSOR/MONITOR'S REPORT NUMBER(S) DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENT SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES ABSTRACTThe overarching goal of this research is to develop and demonstrate a comprehensive approach for field characterization of DNAPL source zones which quantifies the key features that control plume response. Here the intent is to integrate targeted (local-scale) in situ tests with transect-based observations of downstream contaminant flux or concentration and information on subsurface geologic variability. To address its primary goal, the research encompasses the following specific objectives: (1) identification of the most information rich metrics for linking NAPL architecture to plume response; (2) development and refinement of in situ test methods and modeling tools that can be used to quantify identified metrics in targeted regions of the source zone; (3) integration of these metrics and tools with current machine learning characterization methods for an overall source zone assessment protocol; and (4) development of simplified models for prediction of plume response. The research approach integrates batch, column and aquifer cell experiments with mathematical modeling and data processing tools to identify and quantify features of the DNAPL architecture controlling down gradient plume response. SUBJECT TERMSField characterization; Metric identification; DNAPL; SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF:No classified information

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Section: Equilibrium Push-pull Modelmentioning

confidence: 84%

Metric Identification and Protocol Development for Characterizing DNAPL Source Zone Architecture and Associated Plume Response

Abriola¹,

Miller²,

Pennell³

et al. 2013

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“…A simple equilibrium-partitioning model has been found to accurately describe the Rn partitioning process Semprini et al, 1993;Hopkins, 1995;Davis et al 2002):…”

Section: The Natural Radon Tracer Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A simple equilibrium-partitioning model has been found to accurately describe the Rn partitioning process Semprini et al, 1993;Hopkins, 1995;Davis et al 2002): where Rn NAPL is the Rn concentration (pCi/L) in a groundwater sample from a NAPL contaminated zone, Rn Background is the Rn concentration (pCi/L) in a "background" groundwater sample from outside the contaminated zone, S NAPL is the residual NAPL saturation (NAPL volume/pore volume), and K is the Rn NAPL:water partition coefficient (dimensionless). The model predicts that as the residual NAPL saturation increases, Rn concentration in groundwater within the NAPL zone will decrease relative to Rn concentrations in adjacent uncontaminated regions (Figure 2.1).…”

Section: The Natural Radon Tracer Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radon-222 as a Natural Tracer for Monitoring the Remediation of NAPL Contamination in the Subsurface

Semprini¹,

Istok²

2006

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Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. REPORT DATE NOV 20062. REPORT TYPE ER-99165e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)Oregon State University Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering Corvallis, OR 97331 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) Environmental Security Technology Certification Program 901 North Stuart Street, #303 Arlington, VA 22203 SPONSOR/MONITOR'S ACRONYM(S) ESTCP SPONSOR/MONITOR'S REPORT NUMBER(S) DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release, distribution unlimited SUPPLEMENTARY NOTESThe original document contains color images. 14 EXECUTIVE SUMMARYNonaqueous phase liquids (NAPL), including chlorinated solvents, aromatic hydrocarbons, and other volatile organic chemicals (VOC), are common contaminants at Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal and non-federal sites. Residual or pooled NAPL contamination provides a long-term source of contamination as it slowly dissolves into groundwater. A major obstacle preventing cost-effective soil and groundwater cleanup at many DoD sites is the current inability to accurately and inexpensively locate and quantify NAPL contamination. This final report describes the use of naturally occurring radon-222 (Rn) as a partitioning tracer for locating and quantifying NAPL contamination in the subsurface and for monitoring changes in NAPL quantities resulting from remediation activities.Radon-222 possesses unique physical properties that make it a useful "natural" partitioning tracer for detecting and quantifying NAPL. Rn is produced in the subsurface by the continuous decay of naturally occurring radium-226. In the absence of NAPL contamination, the aqueous Rn concentration quickly reaches a site-specific equilibrium value determined by the mineralogy and porosity of the geologic formation. In the presence of NAPL, however, the Rn concentration is substantially reduced due to partitioning of Rn into the organic NAPL phase. Moreover, the reduction in Rn concentration of groundwater in contact with a NAPL phase is quantitatively correlated with the quantity of NAPL present, as described by simple equilibrium models. Thus, the method is based on measu...

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“…The resulting reduction in Rn activity in the soil air of the vadose zone should therefore indicate the presence of underlying levels with high hydrocarbon saturation (Hunkeler et al, 1997;Semprini et al, 2000;Schubert et al, 2001Schubert et al, , 2005Schubert et al, , 2007b. Field tests and laboratory experiments published by Schubert et al (2007c), Fan et al (2007), Davis et al, (2002Davis et al, ( , 2003 and Semprini et al (2000) suggest that Rn can be used as a non-conservative tracer to estimate LNAPL saturation in the subsurface.…”

Section: Jj Physico-chemical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Field validation of radon monitoring as a screening methodology for NAPL-contaminated sites

García-González

Ortega

Chacón

et al. 2008

Applied Geochemistry

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Screening methodologies aim at improving knowledge about subsurface contamination processes before expensive intrusive operations, i.e. drilling and core-sampling, well installation and development, sampling of groundwater and free-phase product, are implemented. Blind field tests carried out at a hydrocarbon storage and distribution center in NE Spain suggest that Rn monitoring can be effectively used to locate the boundaries of subsurface accumulations of NAPLs. Sixty seven measurements of Rn in soil air were performed with a SARAD RTM 2100 current-ionization alpha-particle spectrometer following a 10 m square grid. Reductions of 222 Rn concentration above a pool of LNAPL due to the preferential partition of Rn into the organic phase were spatially analyzed and resolved to yield the surface contour of the NAPL source zone. This surface trace of the source zone agreed well with the extent and situation inferred from measurements of free-phase thickness taken at eight monitoring wells at the site. Moreover, the good repeatability (as measured by replicate measurements at the same sampling point) and spatial resolution of the technique suggest that the boundaries of the plume can be delineated at the sub-decametre level.

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Push–pull partitioning tracer tests using radon-222 to quantify non-aqueous phase liquid contamination

Cited by 52 publications

References 18 publications

Metric Identification and Protocol Development for Characterizing DNAPL Source Zone Architecture and Associated Plume Response

Metric Identification and Protocol Development for Characterizing DNAPL Source Zone Architecture and Associated Plume Response

Radon-222 as a Natural Tracer for Monitoring the Remediation of NAPL Contamination in the Subsurface

Field validation of radon monitoring as a screening methodology for NAPL-contaminated sites

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