Article (Scientific journals)
Vadose zone characterisation at industrial contaminated sites
Fernandez de Vera, Natalia; Dahan, Ofer; Dassargues, Alain et al.
2015In CL:AIRE bulletin
Peer reviewed
 

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Keywords :
Vadose zone; Vadose Zone Monitoring System; Cross hole geophysics
Abstract :
[en] In order to improve risk characterization and remediation measures for soil and groundwater contamination, there is a need to improve in situ vadose zone characterization. However, most available technologies have been developed in the context of agricultural soils. Such methodologies are not applicable at industrial sites, where soils and contamination differ in origin and composition. To overcome such difficulties, a vadose zone experiment has been setup at a former industrial site in Belgium. Industrial activities carried out on site left a legacy of soil and groundwater contamination in BTEX, PAH, cyanide and heavy metals. The experiment comprises the combination of two techniques: the Vadose Zone Monitoring System (VMS) and cross-hole geophysics. The VMS allows continuous measurements of water content at different depths of the vadose zone, as well as the possibility of water sampling at different depths. The system is formed by a flexible sleeve containing monitoring units along its depth which is installed in a slanted borehole. The flexible sleeve contains three types of monitoring units in the vadose zone: Time Domain Transmissometry (TDT), which allows water content measurements; Vadose Sampling Ports (VSP), used for collecting water samples coming from the matrix; the Fracture Samplers (FS), which are used for retrieving water samples from the fractures. Cross-hole geophysics techniques consist in the injection of an electrical current using electrodes installed in vertical boreholes. From such injections, spatial patterns related with subsurface heterogeneities, water content and solute concentrations are inferred. Two VMS were installed in two slanted boreholes on site, together with four vertical boreholes containing electrodes for geophysical measurements. The site was monitored under natural recharge conditions. Results show the reaction of the vadose zone to rainfall events, as well as chemical evolution of soil water with depth and rainfall infiltration.
Disciplines :
Geological, petroleum & mining engineering
Author, co-author :
Fernandez de Vera, Natalia ;  Université de Liège > Département ArGEnCo > Hydrogéologie & Géologie de l'environnement
Dahan, Ofer;  Ben-Gurion University of the Negev > Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research
Dassargues, Alain  ;  Université de Liège > Département ArGEnCo > Hydrogéologie & Géologie de l'environnement
Vanclooster, Marnik;  Université Catholique de Louvain - UCL
Nguyen, Frédéric ;  Université de Liège > Département ArGEnCo > Géophysique appliquée
Brouyère, Serge  ;  Université de Liège > Département ArGEnCo > Hydrogéologie & Géologie de l'environnement
Language :
English
Title :
Vadose zone characterisation at industrial contaminated sites
Publication date :
2015
Journal title :
CL:AIRE bulletin
Peer reviewed :
Peer reviewed
European Projects :
FP7 - 265063 - ADVOCATE - Advancing Sustainable In Situ Remediation for Contaminated Land and Groundwater
Funders :
CE - Commission Européenne [BE]
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since 08 September 2015

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