US EPA

Partitioning Tracers for In-Situ Detection and Measurement of Nonaqueous Phase Liquids in Porous Media

EPA Grant Number: R825407
Title: Partitioning Tracers for In-Situ Detection and Measurement of Nonaqueous Phase Liquids in Porous Media
Investigators: Brusseau, Mark , Nelson, N. T.
Current Investigators: Brusseau, Mark
Institution: University of Arizona
EPA Project Officer: Stelz, Bill
Project Period: November 1, 1996 through October 31, 1999
Project Amount: $246,339
RFA: Environmental Fate and Treatment of Toxics and Hazardous Wastes (1996) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Land and Waste Management , Safer Chemicals

Description:

The overall goal of the proposed project is to explore the use of partitioning tracers to characterize light nonaqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) in aquifer systems. There will be a specific focus on LNAPLs comprised of multiple components, such as petroleum-type contaminants. Bulk-phase partitioning tracers will be investigated to detect and determine LNAPL saturation, while interface partitioning tracers will be investigated to measure the area of the LNAPL-water interface. The effects of mass transfer rate limitations and of porous-media heterogeneity on the efficacy of partitioning tracers will be examined.

Effective risk assessment and remediation of LNAPL-contaminated sites is limited by current site characterization techniques. This proposal outlines an integrated approach for the testing of an alternative method for characterizing LNAPLs in aquifer systems. This approach will allow a new, promising technique for charactering LNAPL in aquifer systems to be verified by established laboratory methods. The results of the proposed research will enhance our understanding of the distribution of LNAPLs in the subsurface and will lead to improved techniques for characterizing LNAPL contaminated sites. The use of this method will help reduce the uncertainty associated with risk assessments and remediation planning.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 7 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 3 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

RFA, Scientific Discipline, Waste, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Remediation, Environmental Chemistry, Health Risk Assessment, Chemistry, Fate & Transport, Hazardous Waste, Hazardous, fate and transport, hazardous waste treatment, oils spills, contaminant transport, NAPL, risk characterization, fate and transport , partitioning tracers, transport contaminants, chemical speciation, adverse human health affects, chemical contaminants, ecological impacts, hazardous chemicals, porous media, restoration planning, contaminant transport models

Progress and Final Reports:

1997 Progress Report
1998 Progress Report
1999 Progress Report
Final Report