Dense Nonaqueous-Phase Liquid Architecture in Fractured Bedrock: Implications for Treatment and Plume Longevity

Partitioning tracer testing was performed in discrete intervals within a fractured bedrock tetrachloroethene (PCE) dense nonaqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) source area to assess the fracture flow field and DNAPL architecture. Results confirmed that the partitioning tracer testing was able to identify and quantify low levels of residual DNAPL along flow paths in hydraulically conductive fractures. DNAPL fracture saturations (Sn) ranged from undetectable to 0.007 (DNAPL volume/fracture volume). A comparison of the fracture flow field to the DNAPL distribution indicated that the highest value of Sn was observed in the least transmissive fracture (or fracture zone). Application of a simple ambient dissolution model showed that the DNAPL present in this low transmissivity zone would persist longer than the DNAPL present in more transmissive fractures and would persist for 200 years (in the absence of any degradation reactions). Assessment of PCE mass distribution between the rock matrix and fractures showed that, due to the presence of DNAPL, the rock matrix accounted for less than 10% of the total PCE mass. The evaluation of PCE concentration profiles in the rock matrix and the estimated diffusional flux from the rock matrix suggest that the elevated PCE groundwater concentrations observed in the fractures likely are due to the presence of the residual DNAPL sources and that removal of the residual DNAPL sources within the fractures would result in a significant decrease in dissolved PCE concentrations in the source area.