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Membrane interface probe protocol for contaminants in low-permeability zones.
David T Adamson1, Steven Chapman, Nicholas Mahler
1G360 Centre for Applied Groundwater Research, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1.
Ground Water
|June 28, 2013
Summary
This study developed a protocol for the membrane interface probe (MIP) to map contaminant mass in low hydraulic conductivity (low k) zones. While useful for qualitative assessment, MIP data showed lower precision than intensive methods for contaminant characterization.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Geoscience
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Characterizing contaminant mass in low hydraulic conductivity (low k) zones is critical for effective site management.
- Difficult-to-treat contaminant mass in low k zones can act as a persistent secondary source.
- Rapid and cost-effective methods are needed for evaluating contaminant distribution in these challenging subsurface environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a protocol for using the membrane interface probe (MIP) as a rapid, low-cost tool for qualitatively assessing contaminant mass in low k zones.
- To optimize MIP operating parameters for accurate data acquisition in both high and low concentration zones.
- To establish a standard operating procedure (SOP) for MIP deployment in low k environments.
Main Methods:
- Systematic variation of MIP operating parameters (detector type, data logging, carrier gas flow rate) at a contaminated site.
- Comparison of MIP data against detailed adjacent soil concentration profiles.
- Development of a standard operating procedure (SOP) based on MIP and soil profile analysis.
- Statistical analysis, including linear regression, to assess MIP data precision.
Main Results:
- A protocol and SOP were established for MIP use in low k zones, recommending specific detectors (ECD, PID) and operational adjustments.
- MIP-soil comparisons showed significant scatter, with R(2) values ranging from 0.32 to 0.49 using the SOP.
- Soil-to-soil correlations from adjacent borings yielded higher R(2) values (≥ 0.88), indicating inherent uncertainties in MIP predictions.
- The MIP demonstrated lower precision in contaminant distribution and heterogeneity data compared to high-resolution methods.
Conclusions:
- The developed MIP protocol provides a valuable, albeit lower-precision, screening tool for contaminant delineation in low k zones.
- MIP is best utilized as a complementary method alongside more intensive characterization techniques.
- Further research may refine MIP data interpretation for improved quantitative assessments in challenging subsurface conditions.
