Abstract
Light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) are commonly used in industrial processes, and they are well known for their potential to contaminate groundwater and their toxic effects on ecosystems. The adequate delineation of contaminant plume distribution is critical for the effective remediation of contaminated sites and aquifers. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys on LNAPL contaminated soils have shown great potential in this regard. In this study in China, six ERT profiles were conducted at a former perfumery plant with a benzene and ethylbenzene spill history to evaluate whether ERT could be used to delineate the distribution of the LNAPL plume beneath the plant. Based on the survey results, the electrical resistivity was consistent with borehole sampling results, where high resistivity corresponded to increased LNAPL concentration. A linear relationship was built between resistivity and contaminant concentration, with a threshold value of 18 Ω·m used to identify contaminated areas. It was possible to construct a detailed three-dimensional characterization of the LNAPL distribution. In addition, four local sites were excavated to verify the results of the ERT profiles. The contamination sources were further categorized into four types that were considered useful for the selection of remediation strategies. In conclusion, ERT was an effective non-invasive technique for delineating LNAPL plume distribution at a high resolution.
Résumé
Les liquides légers en phase non aqueuse (LNAPLs) sont généralement utilisés dans des process industriels, et sont bien connus pour leur potentiel de contamination des eaux souterraines, et leurs effets toxiques sur les écosystèmes. La délimitation adéquate de l’extension du panache de pollution est essentielle pour une remédiation efficace des sites et aquifères contaminés. Les investigations de tomographie par résistivité électrique (TRE) sur des sols pollués par des LNAPL ont montré un grand potentiel à cet égard. Dans cette étude en Chine, six profils de TRE ont été menés au droit d’une ancienne fabrique de parfumerie, avec un historique de déversement de benzène et de l’éthylbenzène, pour évaluer si le TRE pouvait être utilisée pour délimiter l’extension du panache de LNAPL sous l’usine. A partir des résultats d’investigations, la résistivité électrique était cohérente avec les résultats de prélèvements en sondage, où la résistivité élevée correspondait à l’augmentation de concentration en LNAPL. Une relation linéaire a été établie entre la résistivité et la concentration en polluants, avec une valeur seuil de 18 Ω·m utilisée pour identifier les zones contaminées. Il a été possible de construire une représentation détaillée en trois dimensions de l’extension du LNAPL. De plus, quatre sites ont été excavés localement pour vérifier les résultats des profils de TRE. Les sources de contamination ont par ailleurs été réparties en quatre catégories, qui ont été jugées utiles pour la sélection de stratégies de remédiation. En conclusion, la TRE a été une technique non invasive efficace pour délimiter l’extension du panache de LNAPL, avec une haute résolution.
Resumen
La fase líquida no-acuosa liviana (LNAPL) se utiliza comúnmente en los procesos industriales y es bien conocida por su potencial para contaminar las aguas subterráneas y sus efectos tóxicos en los ecosistemas. La delimitación adecuada de la distribución de la pluma de los contaminantes es fundamental para la remediación eficaz de los sitios y acuíferos contaminados. Los estudios de tomografía de resistividad eléctrica (TRE) en suelos contaminados con LNAPL han mostrado un gran potencial en este sentido. En este estudio realizado en China, se llevaron a cabo seis perfiles de ERT en una antigua planta de fabricación de perfumes con un historial de derrames de benceno y etilbenceno para evaluar si se podía utilizar la ERT para delinear la distribución de la pluma de LNAPL debajo de la planta. Sobre la base de los resultados del estudio, la resistividad eléctrica era coherente con los resultados del muestreo de la perforación, en que la alta resistividad correspondía a una mayor concentración de LNAPL. Se estableció una relación lineal entre la resistividad y la concentración del contaminante, con un valor umbral de 18 Ω·m utilizado para identificar las zonas contaminadas. Fue posible construir una caracterización tridimensional detallada de la distribución de los LNAPL. Además, se excavaron cuatro sitios locales para verificar los resultados de los perfiles de ERT. Las fuentes de contaminación se clasificaron además en cuatro tipos que se consideraron útiles para la selección de estrategias de remediación. En conclusión, la ERT fue una técnica no invasiva eficaz para delimitar la distribución de la pluma de LNAPL con una alta resolución.
摘要
轻质非水相液体(LNAPLs)被广泛应用于工业生产过程中, 其对地下水的潜在污染和对生态系统的毒副作用不可忽视。污染羽空间分布的精细刻画对于污染场地和含水层的有效修复至关重要。电阻率层析成像技术(ERT)在LNAPL污染场地的调查方面具有巨大潜力。在中国开展的这项研究中, 对一个有苯和乙苯泄漏历史的前香料厂开展了6个ERT剖面的探测分析, 以评估ERT是否可以准确刻画场地下游LNAPL污染羽的空间分布。研究结果显示, 电阻率与钻孔取样结果一致, 高电阻率对应于LNAPL浓度的增加。电阻率和污染物浓度呈线性关系, 电阻率阈值18Ω·m可用于识别污染区域。本次研究结果可实现LNAPL污染羽空间分布的精细三维表征。此外, 本次采用了四个本地样点以验证ERT探测结果的准确性。污染源被进一步划分为四类, 对后续修复策略的选择提供了有利支持。总之, ERT是一项可高分辨率刻画LNAPL污染羽空间分布的高效非侵入性探测技术。
Resumo
Fases líquidas não aquosas leves (LNAPLs) são comumente usadas em processos industriais, e são conhecidas por seu potencial de contaminação da água subterrânea e seus efeitos tóxicos nos ecossistemas. O delineamento adequado da distribuição da pluma de contaminação é crítico para uma remediação efetiva das áreas e aquíferos contaminados. Investigações com tomografia de resistividade elétrica (TRE) em solos contaminados por LNAPL mostraram grande potencial nesse sentido. No presente estudo, realizado na China, seis perfis de TRE foram conduzidos em uma antiga fábrica de perfumaria com histórico de derramamento de benzeno e etilbenzeno, a fim de avaliar se a TRE poderia ser utilizada para delinear a distribuição da pluma de LNAPL sob a planta da fábrica. Com base na investigação, a resistividade elétrica foi consistente com resultados de amostragem de perfurações, nos quais resistividades elevadas correspondiam a aumentos na concentração de LNAPL. Uma relação linear foi estabelecida entre resistividade e concentração do contaminante, com valor limiar de 18 Ω·m utilizado para identificar áreas contaminadas. Foi possível caracterizar detalhadamente em três dimensões a distribuição de LNAPL. Além disso, quatro pontos foram escavados para verificar os resultados dos perfis de TRE. As fontes de contaminação foram ainda categorizadas em quatro tipos, considerados úteis para a seleção de estratégias de remediação. Em conclusão, a TRE foi uma técnica efetiva e não-invasiva para o delineamento da distribuição da pluma de LNAPL em alta resolução.
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The second author acknowledges support from the National Engineering Laboratory for Site Remediation Technologies, Grant No. NEL-SRT201906. The corresponding author would like to thank the Qilu Youth Scholar Program of Shandong University for their support.
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Xia, T., Dong, Y., Mao, D. et al. Delineation of LNAPL contaminant plumes at a former perfumery plant using electrical resistivity tomography. Hydrogeol J 29, 1189–1201 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-021-02311-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-021-02311-5