Abstract
Determining the thickness of a LNAPL (light non-aqueous phase liquid) hydrocarbon plume in the fractured rock surrounding a borehole is a very important aspect in determining the quantity and degree of contamination of the groundwater and soil, as well as deciding on applicable remediation measures. This review aims to compare some of the field and empirical methods to eventually propose a method of confirming the plausibility of the determined thickness. General insight is supplied relating to the occurrence of groundwater in the Earth’s crust, the basic principles of multiphase flow and the properties of the three fluids of importance, being water, Jet A-1 fuel and air. From the methods applied, the field bail-down method of Hughes et al. and the mathematical approach according to CONCAWE supplied reasonable results, with the Zillox and Muntzer equation providing no rational outcome due to changing water levels from regular bailing of the LNAPL. Furthermore, practically none of these methods have been developed for deep, fractured aquifers. By plotting regular depths to water and fuel on the abscissa axis with free product thickness on the ordinate, the depth to water and depth to fuel linear plots will intersect where the free product thickness equals zero. This indicates the static water level (i.e., the ground water level prior to hydrocarbon contamination) and by subtracting this from the free product depth, a maximum product thickness is obtained.
Résumé
La détermination de l’épaisseur d’un panache LNAPL d’hydrocarbures dans un milieu rocheux fracturé, autour d’un forage, est un sujet très important pour l’identification d’une contamination des eaux souterraines et des sols, ainsi que pour les décisions concernant les mesures curatives. L’article vise à comparer quelques unes des méthodes de terrain et des méthodes empiriques afin de proposer une méthode de détermination de l’épaisseur d’un tel panache. Des éléments généraux relatifs aux eaux souterraines, aux écoulements multiphasiques et aux propriétés de trois fluides importants : l’eau, le fioul et l’air sont donnés. La méthode d’extraction in situ de Hugues et al. et l’approche mathématique suivant Concawe ont apporté des résultats raisonnables, les équations de Zillox et Muntzer ne donnant pas de résultats interprétables du fait des changements de niveau d’eau associés à l’extraction des LNAPL. De plus, pratiquement aucune de ces méthodes n’a été développée pour des aquifères profonds et fracturés. En mettant en rapport les profondeurs de l’eau et du fioul en abscisse avec l’épaisseur de produit libre en ordonnée, les courbes profondeur d’eau et profondeur de fioul se croisent lorsque l’épaisseur de produit libre est nulle. Ceci donne la profondeur de la surface piézométrique (i.e., avant la contamination par hydrocarbure) et en soustrayant cette valeur de la profondeur du produit libre, une épaisseur maximale de produit est obtenue.
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The authors would like to thank the Department of Public Works for permission to use the data for the case study.
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Dippenaar, M.A., Sole, M.D., Van Rooy, J.L. et al. Determining actual LNAPL plume thickness: review and case study in a fractured aquifer. Bull Eng Geol Environ 64, 347–360 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-005-0278-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-005-0278-5