Monitoring subsurface barrier integrity using perfluorocarbon tracers
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
Subsurface barriers are an extremely promising remediation option to many waste-management problems. It is recognized that monitoring of the barrier is necessary to provide confidence in the ability of the barrier to contain the pollutants. However, the large size and deep placement of subsurface barriers make detection of leaks a challenging task. Therefore, typical geophysical methods are not suitable for the monitoring of an emplaced barrier`s integrity. Perfluorocarbon tracers (PFTs) have been tested as a means of barrier verification at the Hanford geotechnical test facility, where a soil/cement barrier was emplaced around a buried drum. PFTs were injected beneath the drum for three days in the center of the barrier 3 m below grade. The concentration of PFTs in seven external and two internal monitoring wells has been measured as a function of time over a 17-day period. The data have been analyzed through numerical modeling to determine barrier integrity and PFT diffusion rates through the barrier. This paper discusses the experimental design, test results, data analysis, and modeling of PFT transport in the subsurface system.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 624079
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Environmental Engineering, Vol. 124, Issue 6; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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