Detection and monitoring of chlorinated solvent contamination by thermal neutron logging

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Ground Water

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.1996.tb01888.x· OSTI ID:201269

Endres, A L; Greenhouse, J P ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Waterloo, Ontario (Canada)

Thermal neutron logging is used to determine water content by measuring the elastic scattering due to hydrogen present in rocks and soils. The response of a thermal neutron device is also affected by the radiative capture of thermal neutrons by all elements. Chlorine has a large capture cross section in comparison to other elements usually found in aquifers; therefore, theory predicts that thermal neutron devices should respond to the presence of chlorinated solvents. Thermal neutron logging performed during a controlled release of perchloroethylene (PCE) confirmed that these methods can be used successfully to detect and monitor chlorinated solvents in the subsurface. To quantify the field results, a series of laboratory tests assessed the response of a neutron moisture probe used in the field experiments. These tests show that this device is very sensitive to the presence of chlorine and provide a basis for converting its response into an apparent PCE saturation. These saturation values compare favorably with PCE saturations obtained from core samples.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 201269
• Journal Information: Ground Water, Journal Name: Ground Water Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 34; ISSN GRWAAP; ISSN 0017-467X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUIFERS
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FIELD TESTS
MONITORING
MONITORS
PERFORMANCE
THERMAL NEUTRONS
WATER POLLUTION