High-Resolution Delineation of Petroleum NAPLs

Abstract

AbstractPrevious chapters of this book demonstrate that a cohesive and well-supported conceptual site model (CSM) of non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) petroleum is commonly the cornerstone of successful risk analysis and/or remediation design. It is difficult to overstate however, the extent to which the heterogeneity of source term NAPL distribution confounds one’s efforts to develop an accurate NAPL CSM. In most cases, only near-continuous measurements of NAPL in the soil are capable of adequately conceptualizing a site’s complex NAPL distribution. Continuous NAPL logging, conducted at a significant number of locations across a petroleum release site, is necessary to better comprehend the chaotic nature of the NAPL’s distribution. Applying high-resolution screening techniques sitewide is known as high-resolution site characterization (HRSC) and this chapter describes how the most commonly applied HRSC techniques can make the difficult task of logging continuously for petroleum NAPL, and its associated groundwater impacts, not only possible but fairly routine.