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U.S. Department of Energy
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Evaluation of tracer sampling devices for the macrodispersion experiment

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7242602
This report describes development and testing of multilevel sampling wells for the Macrodispersion Experiment (MADE). The objective was to assure that the wells used in the experiment provide representative groundwater tracer samples from discrete zones within the aquifer. Local tracer tests were conducted on several wells of different design to directly measure groundwater movement in the immediate vicinity of the sampling ports. Tests were carried out to examine changes in natural groundwater flow patterns resulting from well installation and to evaluate interference between ports during sampling. Results indicated that an auger-installed multilevel sampler with external bentonite packers between sampling ports (AMLS-P) performed best. A drivable nultilevel sampler (DMLS) indicated about the same level of performance with respect to sampling port interference but showed evidence of changes in local groundwater movement in approximately half of the tests. The AMLS-P and DMLS were subsequently evaluated using tracer concentration and hydraulic head measurements during the first four months of the large-scale field tracer experiment. The AMLS-P and DMLS exhibited similar plume sampling and hydraulic head measurments. The AMLS-P was selected for future additions to the tracer sampling network because of its lower cost and better results for the local tracer tests. 9 refs., 21 figs., 4 tabs.
Research Organization:
Tennessee Valley Authority, Norris (USA). Office of Natural Resources and Economic Development; Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge (USA). Dept. of Civil Engineering
OSTI ID:
7242602
Report Number(s):
EPRI-EA-5816; ON: TI88010688
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English