Monitoring Subsurface Barrier Integrity Using Perfluorocarbon Tracers
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 124, Issue 6
Abstract
Subsurface barriers are an extremely promising remediation option to many waste-management problems. It is recognized that monitoring of the barrier is necessary to provide confidence in the ability of the barrier to contain the pollutants. However, the large size and deep placement of subsurface barriers make detection of leaks a challenging task. Therefore, typical geophysical methods are not suitable for the monitoring of an emplaced barrier's integrity. Perfluorocarbon tracers (PFTs) have been tested as a means of barrier verification at the Hanford geotechnical test facility, where a soil/cement barrier was emplaced around a buried drum. PFTs were injected beneath the drum for three days in the center of the barrier 3 m below grade. The concentration of PFTs in seven external and two internal monitoring wells has been measured as a function of time over a 17-day period. The data have been analyzed through numerical modeling to determine barrier integrity and PFT diffusion rates through the barrier. This paper discusses the experimental design, test results, data analysis, and modeling of PFT transport in the subsurface system.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 124 • Issue 6 • June 1998
Pages: 490 - 497
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Jun 1, 1998
Published in print: Jun 1998
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