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A Critique of the Internal Tracer Method for Estimating Contaminant Degradation Rates
Author(s) -
Martian Peter,
Sorenson Kent S.,
Peterson Lance N.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
groundwater
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1745-6584
pISSN - 0017-467X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6584.2003.tb02401.x
Subject(s) - tracer , degradation (telecommunications) , environmental science , environmental chemistry , chemistry , computer science , physics , nuclear physics , telecommunications
The internal tracer method for estimating contaminant degradation rates separates the attenuation effects not associated with degradation by using a codisposed recalcitrant internal tracer to normalize the degrading contaminant concentration. The remaining attenuation between the internal tracer and degrading contaminant is attributed to degradation and the degradation rate half‐life is estimated from the first‐order decay equation. An analytical solution of the advection‐ dispersion equation was used to evaluate flow‐and‐transport conditions that could result in incorrect estimates of contaminant degradation rate constants. Flow‐and‐transport characteristics that result in overestimating degradation rates were of particular interest because the internal tracer method often used to demonstrate natural attenuation can achieve remedial objectives. The analytical solution was also used to estimate the magnitude of error associated with using the internal tracer method at an example site and to explain different degradation rates estimated using tracers with different decay rate constants.