Title: | Using radon-222 as indicator for the evaluation of the efficiency of groundwater remediation by in situ air sparging |
Author(s): | Schubert M; Schmidt A; Muller K; Weiss H; |
Address: | "UFZ-Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstrasse 15, Leipzig, Germany" |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2010.11.012 |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1879-1700 (Electronic) 0265-931X (Linking) |
Abstract: | "A common approach for remediation of groundwater contamination with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is contaminant stripping by means of in situ air sparging (IAS). For VOC stripping, pressurized air is injected into the contaminated groundwater volume, followed by the extraction of the contaminant-loaded exhaust gas from the vadose soil zone and its immediate on-site treatment. Progress assessment of such remediation measure necessitates information (i) on the spatial range of the IAS influence and (ii) on temporal variations of the IAS efficiency. In the present study it was shown that the naturally occurring noble gas radon can be used as suitable environmental tracer for achieving the related spatial and temporal information. Due to the distinct water/air partitioning behaviour of radon and due to its straightforward on-site detectability, the radon distribution pattern in the groundwater can be used as appropriate measure for assessing the progression of an IAS measure as a function of space and time. The presented paper discusses both the theoretical background of the approach and the results of an IAS treatment accomplished at a VOC contaminated site lasting six months, during which radon was applied as efficiency indicator" |
Keywords: | "*Air Environmental Restoration and Remediation/*methods/standards Fresh Water/*chemistry Germany Radioactive Tracers Radon/*analysis Time Factors Water Pollutants, Chemical/*analysis Water Pollution/*prevention & control;" |
Notes: | "MedlineSchubert, Michael Schmidt, Axel Muller, Kai Weiss, Holger eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2010/12/15 J Environ Radioact. 2011 Feb; 102(2):193-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2010.11.012. Epub 2010 Dec 10" |