ISSN:
1745-6592
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
,
Geosciences
Notes:
Hydrocarbon transport in the subsurface environment occurs in several phases, chiefly the non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL), dissolved and vapor phases. Mechanisms that influence transport include the physicochemical properties of the specific compounds present (density, vapor pressure, viscosity, hydrophobicity) and the physical and chemical properties of the subsurface environment, including geology, aquifer minerology and ground water hydrology. Hydrocarbon liquids are typically complex mixtures composed of numerous compounds, each with its own individual physicochemical and, therefore, transport properties. Examination of chemical data can provide insights into the transport mechanisms operating at a site: Ground water transport results in relative enrichment by more soluble, less hydrophobic hydrocarbon compounds as a function of distance from a spill; vapor phase transport typically results in relative enrichment in more volatile hydrocarbon compounds.Two sites at which subsurface fuel spills resulted in ground water contamination will illustrate the use of transport mechanism theory. At Site 1 a subsurface spill resulted in a NAPL plume approximately 150m (500 feet) and a dissolved hydrocarbon plume resulting from ground water transport of dissolved hydrocarbon approximately 350m (1150 feet) hydraulically downgradient of the source. At Site 2 there was a sudden subsurface fuel spill; ground water pumping with hydrocarbon recovery was begun within a week of spillage. Vapor phase transport resulted in contaminated ground water hydraulically upgradient of the source. In addition, there was cross-contamination at Site 2, probably as the result of contaminated water level gauging equipment, but the chemical characteristics of this contamination were sufficiently obvious to permit its identification. An understanding of transport mechanisms is instrumental in contamination assessment source identification, contaminant fate prediction and design of an appropriate remedial program.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6592.1987.tb01066.x
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