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Quantitative soil vapor sampling: The preferred approach to site characterization and remediation management in the vadose zone

Conference · · Ground Water; (United States)
OSTI ID:7124460
 [1];  [2]
  1. ICF Kaiser Engineers, Oakland, CA (United States)
  2. ICF Kaiser Engineers, Sacramento, CA (United States)
Quantitative soil vapor sampling has been used to successfully characterize volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at several large sites in California, as well as to monitor progress of remediation (specifically soil vapor extraction [SVE] systems). Most recently, cleanup levels and system shutdown verification programs have been developed based on only soil vapor data. These currently are being implemented. More than 300 soil/soil vapor sample pairs have been collected at various sites during the last three years to compare VOC concentrations measured from traditional soil samples vs. calculated VOC soil concentrations based on equilibrium partitioning using the soil vapor data. The results also have been evaluated to assess trends with soil properties. In addition, other physical parameters were monitored during the program to assess their impact on the seasonal trends observed in the soil vapor concentration. The results showed that traditional soil samples underestimated the mass of VOCs present in over 90 percent of the comparison points, and as expected the finer grained material showed the best correlation. Analytical tools for targeting non-aqueous phase liquid also have been developed.
OSTI ID:
7124460
Report Number(s):
CONF-9410209--
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Ground Water; (United States) Journal Volume: 32:5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English