Estimation of LNAPL saturation in fine sand using time-domain reflectometry

Summary, in English

Recently, substantial progress has been made in detection and observation of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) in the subsurface using different experimental techniques. However, there is still a lack of appropriate direct methods to measure the saturation of NAPL theta(NAPL)). This paper provides a guide for estimating theta(NAPL) and water content (theta(a)) in unsaturated and saturated sand based on direct measurements of soil dielectric constant (K-a) and electrical conductivity (sigma(a)) using time domain reflectometry (TDR). The results show that the previously used dielectric mixing model fails to predict, theta(NAPL) in the case of a four-phase system. A new methodology is suggested and exemplified by showing that the measured K-a gives accurate estimation of theta(NAPL) for a three-phase system while in a four-phase system, both sigma(a) and K-a need to be measured. The results show that using the suggested methodology, accurate predictions of theta(w) (R-2 = 0.9998) and theta(NAPL) lower than 0.20 m(3) m(-3) (average R-2 = 0.9756) are possible.

• Author: SA Haridy; Magnus Persson; Ronny Berndtsson
• Department/s: Division of Water Resources Engineering
• Publishing year: 2004
• Language: English
• Pages: 987-1000
• Publication/Series: Hydrological Sciences Journal
• Volume: 49
• Issue: 6
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1623/hysj.49.6.987.55729
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Topic: Water Engineering
• Keywords: time domain; LNAPL; dielectric constant; electric conductivity; water content; reflectometry
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 0262-6667