Effectiveness of Source-Zone Remediation of DNAPL-Contaminated Subsurface Systems
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 136, Issue 5
Abstract
Concerted efforts to remediate subsurface systems contaminated with dense nonaqueous-phase liquids (DNAPLs) have met with limited success when measured by comparing solute concentrations to drinking water quality standards. One-dimensional and three-dimensional laboratory experiments and a field-scale experiment are used to investigate the effectiveness of source-zone remediation and to assess factors that contribute to the observed results. The three-dimensional laboratory experiment and the field-scale experiment used a surfactant flush followed by vapor extraction to reduce the DNAPL saturation, while vertical DNAPL mobilization was controlled using a brine barrier. DNAPL mobilization and recovery in the field-scale experiment was relatively ineffective due in part to the low saturation levels of the DNAPL. The results show essentially that complete removal of a DNAPL is required to reach typical cleanup standards and that details of the morphology and topology of a DNAPL distribution, in addition to the saturation, play an important role in determining the rate of mass transfer. The results are interpreted in terms of guidance for remediation approaches, realistic expectations for source-zone remediation, and elements needed for improved models of such systems.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Grant No. UNSPECIFIEDP42 ES05948), National Science Foundation (Grant No. NSFEAR-0440211), The RETEC Group, and the Dead Sea Bromine Group. The Dover National Environmental Technology Test Site (NETTS) is established and managed by the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program. The demonstration complied with prescribed NETTS protocols and guidelines for quality assurance, health and safety, technical completeness, and regulatory compliance. The support of the NETTS facilities and test location manager and staff are gratefully acknowledged. We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of Louis Ball, Randall Goodman, Emmie Granbery, William G. Gray, Chad Roper, and Patrick Sanderson from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Timothy McHale, Lee Mitchell, Dale Williams, and Rob Young from the Dover National Test Site (DNTS); Gaylen Brubaker, Jim Hicks, Randy Kabrick, Stephanie Knight, Dottie Schmitt, Teresa Watson, and Jon Williams from The RETEC Group; Mira Freiberg and Shmuel Ukeles from the Dead Sea Bromine Group; and Bill Taff from Synergy Fluids.
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Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 136 • Issue 5 • May 2010
Pages: 452 - 465
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© 2010 ASCE.
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Received: Feb 6, 2009
Accepted: Sep 29, 2009
Published online: Oct 2, 2009
Published in print: May 2010
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