Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2010.11.012
Title (Primary) Using radon-222 as indicator for the evaluation of the efficiency of groundwater remediation by in situ air sparging
Author Schubert, M.; Schmidt, A.; Müller, K.; Weiss, H. ORCID logo
Source Titel Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
Year 2011
Department ANA; GWS
Volume 102
Issue 2
Page From 193
Page To 199
Language englisch
Keywords Air sparging; Radon; Tracer; Groundwater remediation; VOC
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.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=10845
Schubert, M., Schmidt, A., Müller, K., Weiss, H. (2011):
Using radon-222 as indicator for the evaluation of the efficiency of groundwater remediation by in situ air sparging
J. Environ. Radioact. 102 (2), 193 - 199 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2010.11.012