Development of Radon as a Natural Tracer for Monitoring the Remediation of NAPL Contamination in the Subsurface
Dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) such as trichloroethene (TCE) and perchloroethene (PCE) present long-term challenges in terms of quantification in the subsurface at many DOE facilities. Over the past year we have continued investigating a potentially lower cost method for quantifying DNAPLs in the subsurface using naturally occurring, in situ dissolved radon as a partitioning tracer. Radon can be used as a partitioning tracer in both static (i.e., no flow) and dynamic methodologies (Semprini et al., 1993; Semprini et al., 1998; Semprini et al., 2000). The static radon method involves obtaining radon samples from DNAPL-contaminated and non-contaminated portions of the aquifer and using the change in radon concentrations to locate and quantify DNAPL saturation in the aquifer. The dynamic radon method incorporates single-well injection withdrawal (i.e., push-pull) tests to estimate radon retardation and DNAPL saturation. These methods have the potential to provide a robust method for DNAPL saturation quantification while decreasing the costs associated with these activities.
- Research Organization:
- Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM) (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG07-97ER62523
- OSTI ID:
- 828610
- Report Number(s):
- EMSP-60158-2002; R&D Project: EMSP 60158; TRN: US200427%%529
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 1 Jun 2002
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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