Testing an analytical model for predicting subsurface LNAPL distributions from current and historic fluid levels in Monitoring Wells: A preliminary test considering hysteresis

Lenhard, RJ; Rayner, JL; García-Rincón, J

Testing an analytical model for predicting subsurface LNAPL distributions from current and historic fluid levels in Monitoring Wells: A preliminary test considering hysteresis

Lenhard, RJ Rayner, JL García-Rincón, J

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Water (Switzerland), 2019, 11 (11)
Issue Date:: 2019-11-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Lenhard, RJ	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Rayner, JL	en_US
dc.contributor.author	García-Rincón, J https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5272-026X	en_US
dc.date.issued	2019-11-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Water (Switzerland), 2019, 11 (11)	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/137725
dc.description.abstract	© 2019 by the authors. Knowledge of subsurface light nonaqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) saturation is important for developing a conceptual model and a plan for addressing LNAPL contaminated sites. Investigators commonly predict LNAPL mobility and potential recoverability using information such as LNAPL physical properties, subsurface characteristics, and LNAPL saturations. Several models exist that estimate the LNAPL specific volume and transmissivity from fluid levels in monitoring wells. Commonly, investigators use main drainage capillary pressure-saturation relations because they are more frequently measured and available in the literature. However, main drainage capillary pressure-saturation relations may not reflect field conditions due to capillary pressure-saturation hysteresis. In this paper, we conduct a preliminary test of a recent analytical model that predicts subsurface LNAPL saturations, specific volume, and transmissivity against data measured at a LNAPL contaminated site. We call our test preliminary because we compare only measured and predicted vertical LNAPL saturations at a single site. Our results show there is better agreement between measured and predicted LNAPL saturations when imbibition capillary pressure-saturation relations are employed versus main drainage capillary pressure-saturation relations. Although further testing of the model for different conditions and sites is warranted, the preliminary test of the model was positive when consideration was given to capillary pressure-saturation hysteresis, which suggests the model can yield reasonable predictions that can help develop and update conceptual site models for addressing subsurface LNAPL contamination. Parameters describing capillary pressure-saturation relations need to reflect conditions existing at the time when the fluid levels in a well are measured.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Water (Switzerland)	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3390/w11112404	en_US
dc.title	Testing an analytical model for predicting subsurface LNAPL distributions from current and historic fluid levels in Monitoring Wells: A preliminary test considering hysteresis	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	11	en_US
utslib.for	0502 Environmental Science and Management	en_US
utslib.for	0907 Environmental Engineering	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Students
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	11	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	11	en_US

Abstract:

© 2019 by the authors. Knowledge of subsurface light nonaqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) saturation is important for developing a conceptual model and a plan for addressing LNAPL contaminated sites. Investigators commonly predict LNAPL mobility and potential recoverability using information such as LNAPL physical properties, subsurface characteristics, and LNAPL saturations. Several models exist that estimate the LNAPL specific volume and transmissivity from fluid levels in monitoring wells. Commonly, investigators use main drainage capillary pressure-saturation relations because they are more frequently measured and available in the literature. However, main drainage capillary pressure-saturation relations may not reflect field conditions due to capillary pressure-saturation hysteresis. In this paper, we conduct a preliminary test of a recent analytical model that predicts subsurface LNAPL saturations, specific volume, and transmissivity against data measured at a LNAPL contaminated site. We call our test preliminary because we compare only measured and predicted vertical LNAPL saturations at a single site. Our results show there is better agreement between measured and predicted LNAPL saturations when imbibition capillary pressure-saturation relations are employed versus main drainage capillary pressure-saturation relations. Although further testing of the model for different conditions and sites is warranted, the preliminary test of the model was positive when consideration was given to capillary pressure-saturation hysteresis, which suggests the model can yield reasonable predictions that can help develop and update conceptual site models for addressing subsurface LNAPL contamination. Parameters describing capillary pressure-saturation relations need to reflect conditions existing at the time when the fluid levels in a well are measured.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/137725