Dynamic Resistivity Changes of Diesel Contamination Plume in Simulated Aquifer

Abstract

Hydrocarbon contamination to subsurface from petroleum spills and underground tank leaking has become more and more concerned. In this study, the vertical migration processes of diesel was simulated in a scaled beach sand aquifer model using a cylinder Plexiglas tank and monitored by self-made automatic resistivity monitoring system. It was shown that the resistivity change curves were dissimilar among unsaturated zone, capillary fringe and saturated zone. Through the measurements of the soil samples, the water content and oil content variability were consistent with the resistivity changes. From the sharp point of resistivity change curves, the thickness of the accumulated oil zone could be estimated. It provides an effective method to dynamically monitor the light oil plume migration in ground aquifer after leaking and determine the location of the oil lens.