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Single-well "push-pull" partitioning tracer test for NAPL detection in the subsurface
Jonathan D Istok1, Jennifer A Field, Martin H Schroth
1Department of Civil Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331, USA. Jack.Istok@orst.edu
Environmental Science & Technology
|July 9, 2002
Summary
Single-well push-pull partitioning tracer tests show promise for detecting nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) contamination in groundwater. These tests successfully identified NAPL in laboratory and field settings, though quantification requires further research.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Hydrogeology
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Traditional well-to-well partitioning tracer tests are limited for subsurface nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) detection.
- Single-well injection-extraction (push-pull) tests offer a potential alternative for NAPL assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of single-well push-pull partitioning tracer tests for detecting and quantifying NAPL.
- To compare laboratory and field results of this novel testing method.
Main Methods:
- Conducted laboratory push-pull tests in physical aquifer models with and without trichloroethene (TCE) NAPL.
- Performed field push-pull tests in an aquifer contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbon NAPL.
- Utilized a suite of partitioning and conservative alcohol tracers in injected solutions.
Main Results:
- Laboratory tests detected tracer sorption and identified the presence of NAPL.
- Computed NAPL saturations from laboratory tests bracketed known values.
- Field tests successfully detected NAPL, with computed saturations comparable to core samples and interwell tests.
Conclusions:
- Single-well push-pull partitioning tracer tests effectively detect NAPL contamination in both laboratory and field conditions.
- Further research is necessary to validate the quantitative accuracy of NAPL saturation estimations using this method.