Micro-purge low-flow sampling of uranium-contaminated ground water at the Fernald Environmental Management Project

Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6592.1995.tb00550.x· OSTI ID:106038

Ferguson, M E

Efforts to sample representative, undisturbed distributions of uranium in ground water beneath the Fernald Environmental Management Project (FEMP) prompted the application of a novel technique that is less invasive in the monitoring well. Recent studies indicate that representative samples can and should be collected without prior well volume exchange purging or borehole evacuation. Field experiments conducted at the FEMP demonstrate that under specific sampling conditions in a well-defined hydrogeologic system, representative ground water samples for a monitoring program can be obtained without removing the conventional three well volumes from the well. The assumption is made that indicator parameter equilibration may not be necessary to determine when to collect representative samples at the FEMP. Preliminary results obtained form the field experiments suggest that this may be true. The technique employs low purge rates (< 1 L/min) with dedicated bladder pumps with inlets located in the screened interval of the well, while not disturbing the stagnant water column above the screened interval. If adopted, this technique, termed micro-purge low-flow sampling, will produce representative ground water samples significantly reduce sampling costs, and minimize waste water over the monitoring life cycle at the FEMP. This technique is well suited for sites that have been fully characterized and are undergoing long-term monitoring.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 106038
• Journal Information: Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation, Journal Name: Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 15; ISSN 1069-3629; ISSN GWMREV
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
CONTAMINATION
FEED MATERIALS PRODUCTION CENTER
GROUND WATER
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
URANIUM
WATER POLLUTION