Estimating Partition Coefficients of Tracers

Abstract

AbstractProper characterization of subsurface nonaqueous phase liquids is essential for effective remediation efforts. Since tracers are increasingly being used for characterization efforts, it would be helpful if a correlation concerning the distribution of a tracer between water and organic solvents existed such that researchers could estimate partition coefficients. Dwarakanath and Pope (1998) reported a bilinear relationship between tracer partition coefficients and the equivalent alkane carbon numbers of both the contaminant and the alcohol. Since further work by other researchers has not been found in the literature, a similar study was conducted to contribute additional insight. The resulting bilinear relationship was consistent for hydrocarbons and chlorocarbons, linear and branched alcohol tracers, neat compounds, and mixtures. The ability to estimate partition coefficients, when coupled with modeling efforts, enables the researcher to focus on tracers possessing partitioning characteristics most suitable for a given site during the design of tracer tests.