| Title: | Tree Sampling as a Method to Assess Vapor Intrusion Potential at a Site Characterized by VOC-Contaminated Groundwater and Soil |
| Author(s): | Wilson JL; Limmer MA; Samaranayake VA; Schumacher JG; Burken JG; |
| Address: | "U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Water Science Center, 1400 Independence Road, Rolla, Missouri 65401, United States. Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology , 1201 North State Street, Rolla, Missouri 65409, United States. Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Delaware , 531 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States. Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Missouri University of Science and Technology , 1201 North State Street, Rolla, Missouri 65409, United States" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1520-5851 (Electronic) 0013-936X (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Vapor intrusion (VI) by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the built environment presents a threat to human health. Traditional VI assessments are often time-, cost-, and labor-intensive; whereas traditional subsurface methods sample a relatively small volume in the subsurface and are difficult to collect within and near structures. Trees could provide a similar subsurface sample where roots act as the 'sampler' and are already onsite. Regression models were developed to assess the relation between PCE concentrations in over 500 tree-core samples with PCE concentrations in over 50 groundwater and 1000 soil samples collected from a tetrachloroethylene- (PCE-) contaminated Superfund site and analyzed using gas chromatography. Results indicate that in planta concentrations are significantly and positively related to PCE concentrations in groundwater samples collected at depths less than 20 m (adjusted R(2) values greater than 0.80) and in soil samples (adjusted R(2) values greater than 0.90). Results indicate that a 30 cm diameter tree characterizes soil concentrations at depths less than 6 m over an area of 700-1600 m(2), the volume of a typical basement. These findings indicate that tree sampling may be an appropriate method to detect contamination at shallow depths at sites with VI" |
| Keywords: | *Environmental Monitoring Groundwater Humans Soil Trees/*chemistry *Volatile Organic Compounds; |
| Notes: | "MedlineWilson, Jordan L Limmer, Matthew A Samaranayake, V A Schumacher, John G Burken, Joel G eng 2017/08/23 Environ Sci Technol. 2017 Sep 19; 51(18):10369-10378. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b02667. Epub 2017 Aug 31" |
