LNAPL distribution in a cohesionless soil: A field investigation and cryogenic sampler

Journal Article · · Ground Water Monitoring Review; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6592.1991.tb00387.x· OSTI ID:5717345

Durnford, D S; Brookman, J A; Billica, J A ^[1]; Milligan, J D ^[2]

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1. Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins (United States)
2. Tennessee Valley Authority, Chattanooga (United States)

Lighter-than-water Non-Aqueous Liquids (LNAPLs), such as jet fuels or gasolines, are common contaminants of soils and ground water. However, the total volume and distribution of an LNAPL is difficult to accurately determine during a site investigation. LNAPL that is entrapped in the saturated zone due to fluctuating water table conditions is particularly difficult to quantify. Yet, the amount of entrapped product in the saturated zone is theoretically higher, per volume of soil, than the residual product in the unsaturated zone, and small amounts of LNAPL in the saturated zone can contaminate large volumes of ground water. The only method currently available to quantify the amount of LNAPL is direct soil-core sampling combined with laboratory analysis of the fluid extracted from the soil cores. However, direct sampling of saturated ground water systems with conventional samplers presents a number of problems. In this study, a new sampler was developed that can be used to retrieve undisturbed soil and pore fluid samples from below the water table in cohesionless soils. The sampler uses carbon dioxide to cool the bottom of a saturated soil sample in situ to near freezing. Results of a field study where a prototype sampler was tested demonstrate the usefulness of a cryogenic sampler and show that the amount of LNAPL entrapped below the water table can be a significant part of the total LNAPL in the soil.

• OSTI ID: 5717345
• Journal Information: Ground Water Monitoring Review; (United States), Vol. 11:3; ISSN 0277-1926
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
02 PETROLEUM
AVIATION FUELS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
GASOLINE
GROUND WATER
SAMPLING
WATER POLLUTION
SAMPLERS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SOILS
LAND POLLUTION
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FIELD TESTS
GAS SPILLS
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FUELS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LIQUID FUELS
MASS TRANSFER
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
POLLUTION
TESTING
WATER
540220* - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
020900 - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects