Observed Migration of a Controlled DNAPL Release by Geophysical Methods

Abstract

AbstractSeven hundred seventy liters of a dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), were released into an isolated volume of a completely saturated natural sandy aquifer. The release was monitored over a period of 984 hours with a variety of geophysical methods including ground penetrating radar, time domain reflectometry, in situ resistivity, and a neutron soil moisture probe. The PCE formed a pool on a low permeability layer at approximately 1 m depth and spread over an area exceeding 32 m2. In its course of downward migration, the PCE subsequently formed eight smaller pools. At the end of the experiment an estimated 41 percent of the total PCE volume remained trapped in the upper pool.The PCE mass and its spatial moments were calculated from radar reflection amplitudes. Between 48 and 100 percent of the PCE mass was accounted for by radar measurements. The center of mass moved a total of 0.5 m south southeast and 1.3 m downward. Spatial variances showed that the greatest lateral spreading occurred in the east‐west direction. The results demonstrate that natural heterogeneities, even in a relatively homogeneous aquifer, can cause DNAPLs to spread laterally over large areas in the subsurface. This experiment also demonstrated that while the ability of geophysics to uniquely measure the presence of DNAPL is limited, certain techniques are well‐suited to monitoring changes in DNAPL saturation.