The Partitioning Tracer Method for In-Situ Detection and Quantification of Immiscible Liquids in the Subsurface

Conducting risk assessments and developing remediation programs for contaminated sites requires knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of immiscible liquids in the subsurface. Current 'point-sampling' characterization methods, such as analysis of soil gas, core sampling, cone penetrometer testing, and monitor-well sampling, are often not capable of providing the amount of data required for effective +risk assessment or remediation system design, without a cost-prohibitive number of samples. The purpose of this work is to discuss an alternative method, the partitioning tracer test, for measuring the quantity and distribution of immiscible liquid in the subsurface. The basis for this method will be briefly reviewed, followed by a discussion of its implementation. Practical considerations as well as limitations of the method will also be discussed. Application of the method will be illustrated for a site contaminated with a multiple-component immiscible liquid.