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Partitioning tracer tests as a remediation metric: Case study at naval amphibious base little creek, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Author(s) -
Divine Craig E.,
McCray John E.,
Wolf Martin Leah M.,
Blanford William J.,
Blitzer David J.,
Brusseau Mark L.,
Boving Thomas B.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
remediation journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.762
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 1520-6831
pISSN - 1051-5658
DOI - 10.1002/rem.20000
Subject(s) - environmental remediation , tracer , environmental science , hydrology (agriculture) , base (topology) , archaeology , engineering , geography , ecology , geotechnical engineering , contamination , biology , mathematics , physics , nuclear physics , mathematical analysis
Abstract The partitioning tracer test (PTT) is a characterization tool that can be used to quantify theporespace saturation (S N ) and spatial distribution of dense nonaqueous phase liquids(DNAPLs) in the subsurface. Because the method essentially eliminates data interpolation errors bydirectly measuring a relatively large subsurface volume, it offers significant promise as a remediation metricfor DNAPL‐zone remediation efforts. This article presents, in detail, the design and results of fieldPTTs conducted before and after a DNAPL‐zone treatment at the Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek,Virginia Beach, Virginia. The results from different tracers yield a relatively large range in S N estimates, indicating notable uncertainty and presenting significant challenges for meaningful interpretation.Several potential interpretation methods are presented, resulting in an estimated DNAPL removal range of 15 to109 L. While this range is large, it is consistent with the DNAPL removal (∼30 L) determined fromanalysis of effluent concentration measurements collected during the remediation efforts. At this site, theinitial and final S N values are low, and the relatively inconsistent performance of the varioustracers indicates that these levels are near the lower practical quantification limit for these PTTs;however, the effective lower quantification limit for these tests is unknown. Generally, an understanding oflower quantification limits is particularly important for interpretation of post‐remediation PTTs becauseS N values are likely to be low (due to remediation efforts) and the S N estimatedfrom the PTT may be used to predict long‐term dissolved plume behavior and assess associatedenvironmental risk. Partitioning tracer test quantification limits are test‐specific, as they aredependent on a variety of factors including analytical uncertainty, tracer breakthrough characteristics, andtracer data integration techniques. The results of this case study indicate that methods for estimating lowerquantification limits for field PTTs require further development. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.