Evaluation of Source-Zone Attenuation at LUFT Sites with Mobile LNAPL

The objective of this study is to better understand the effect of mobile LNAPL on source-zone attenuation at sites using a statistical evaluation of 3,523 leaking underground fuel tank (LUFT) sites from GeoTracker, an extensive database of chemical release sites in California. Our analysis indicates...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Soil & sediment contamination 2015-11, Vol.24 (8), p.917-929
Main Authors: Kulkarni, Poonam R., McHugh, Thomas E., Newell, Charles J., Garg, Sanjay
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attenuation
Chemical spills
Dissolution
Gas leaks
Groundwater
Keywords  LUFT, LNAPL, GeoTracker, physical recovery, source zone attenuation
Monitoring
Skimming
Soil contamination
Thickness measurement
Underground
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Summary:The objective of this study is to better understand the effect of mobile LNAPL on source-zone attenuation at sites using a statistical evaluation of 3,523 leaking underground fuel tank (LUFT) sites from GeoTracker, an extensive database of chemical release sites in California. Our analysis indicates that sites with mobile LNAPL (i.e., sites with measurable LNAPL thicknesses in one or more groundwater monitoring wells (LNAPL sites)) have higher maximum dissolved groundwater constituent concentrations and significantly slower source-zone attenuation rates (i.e., changes in maximum concentrations over time) compared to sites with a history of no measurable LNAPL thickness (non-LNAPL sites). However, the evaluation indicates that, for mobile LNAPL sites, physical recovery (skimming and bailing) does not increase source attenuation rates. The results suggest a need for more careful evaluation of the potential benefits of physical LNAPL technologies.
ISSN:1532-0383
1549-7887
DOI:10.1080/15320383.2015.1071778