Applied NAPL Science Review

Demystifying NAPL Science for the Remediation Manager

Editor: J. Michael Hawthorne, PG
Asst. Editor: Dr. Rangaramanujam Muthu, PE

ANSR Scientific Advisory Board
J. Michael Hawthorne, PG, Board of Chairman, GEI Consultants Inc.
Mark Adamski, PG, BP Americas
Stephen S. Boynton, PE, LSP, Subsurface Env. Solutions, LLC
Dr. Randall Charbeneau, University of Texas
Paul Cho, PG, CA Regional Water Quality Control Board-LA
Robert Frank, RG, CH2M
Dr. Sanjay Garg, Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc.
Randy St. Germain, Dakota Technologies, Inc.
Dr. Dennis Helsel, Practical Stats
Dr. Terrence Johnson, USEPA
Andrew J. Kirkman, PE, BP Americas
Mark Lyverse, PG, Chevron Energy Technology Company
Mark W. Malander, ExxonMobil Environmental Services

Applied NAPL Science Review (ANSR) is a scientific ejournal that provides insight into the science behind the characterization and remediation of Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (NAPLs) using plain English. We welcome feedback, suggestions for future topics, questions, and recommended links to NAPL resources. All submittals should be sent to the editor.

The Mobile NAPL Interval
Part 2: Confined and Perched LNAPL

Lisa Reyenga
GEI Consultants, Inc.

J. Michael Hawthorne, PG
GEI Consultants, Inc.

As discussed in Part 1 of this two part series, the mobile non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) interval (MNI) represents the thickness of the formation where NAPL is present above residual saturation. Generally this thickness can be thought of as the vertical extent corresponding to the “Shark Fin” portion of the total saturation profile. Understanding the location and extent of mobile light NAPL (LNAPL) is a critical element of the conceptual site model (CSM). This second article focuses on confined and perched LNAPL.

Under confined and perched LNAPL conditions, the MNI thickness and location are generally stable as the water table fluctuates because the MNI is trapped against the confining or perching layer and therefore vertically immobile. However, the apparent NAPL thickness (ANT) gauged in a well at equilibrium for confined and perched LNAPL is exaggerated and can be much larger than the MNI. Consequently, it is necessary to know the LNAPL hydrogeologic condition to understand the MNI.

Due to the stable MNI with groundwater fluctuations, the measured LNAPL transmissivity should be consistent over time as long as there is no change in LNAPL saturation due to migration or remediation.

Figure 1 – Identification of the MNI and ANT for unconfined, confined, and perched LNAPL at equilibrium based on the air/NAPL (AN) interface (also referred to as ANI) elevation, NAPL/water (NW) interface (also referred to as NWI) elevation, and calculated groundwater surface (CGWS).

The hydrogeologic condition of the LNAPL can be identified using an ANT diagnostic gauge plot (DGP) of equilibrium gauging data (Kirkman et al, 2013; Hawthorne, 2011). Characteristic ANT DGP curves for unconfined, confined, and perched conditions are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 – Characteristic ANT DGP curves for unconfined, confined, and perched conditions.

Discharge versus drawdown (DvD) plots generated from baildown tests or from gauged recharge data following manual skimming tests or oil/water ratio tests may also be used to identify the LNAPL hydrogeologic condition as well as the MNI (Kirkman et al, 2013; Hawthorne and Kirkman, 2011). Figure 3 shows characteristic DvD curves for unconfined, confined, and perched conditions.

Figure 3 – Characteristic DvD curves for unconfined, confined, and perched conditions also showing the portion of the discharge curve representative of the MNI.

Confined Conditions

Diagnostic Gauge Plots
The characteristic ANT DGP for confined conditions is a wedge shape where the NAPL/water interface (NWI) is constant and the air/NAPL interface (ANI) is increasing with increasing ANT (Figure 2). The NWI corresponds to the base of the MNI, but the confining contact (rather than the ANI) is the top of the MNI. The ANI will vary with changes in groundwater potentiometric surface (the calculated groundwater surface or CGWS), and may be substantially higher than the confining contact.

The confining contact can be identified on the ANT DGP if the equilibrium ANI has dropped below the elevation of the confining contact causing the NAPL condition to be temporarily unconfined. This change appears on the ANT DGP as an inflection point where the trend lines switch from the characteristic shape of confined conditions to that of unconfined conditions, and the ANI, CGWS, and NWI elevations all decrease with increasing ANT. The MNI for confined conditions corresponds to the equilibrium ANT at the inflection point on the DGP (Figure 4).

Figure 4 – DGP of LNAPL demonstrating identification of the MNI at the inflection point between unconfined and confined conditions.

If the water table has not been low enough historically to identify the inflection point, the MNI can be estimated as the difference in elevation between the constant NWI and the confining contact identified from the boring log or other data in the CSM.

Discharge versus Drawdown Plots

The NAPL discharge rate on a DvD plot is constant when the NWI is above the confining contact. When the NWI drops below the confining contact, the NAPL in the well is in direct communication with the NAPL in the formation. For further increases in ANT, the NAPL drawdown and discharge rate linearly decrease as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 – DvD plot demonstrating the inflection point between constant discharge and linearly decreasing discharge for both confined and perched LNAPL conditions. Under confined conditions, the NWI elevation at the inflection point represents the confining contact. Under perched conditions, the ANI elevation at the inflection point represents the perching contact.

The confining contact can be identified as the elevation of the NWI when the NAPL discharge rate into the well begins to decrease linearly. The MNI is estimated as the elevation difference from the confining contact to the static NWI.

Perched Conditions

Diagnostic Gauge Plots

The characteristic ANT DGP for perched conditions is a wedge shape where the ANI is constant and the NWI elevation decreases with increasing ANT (Figure 2). The ANI corresponds to the top of the MNI, and the perching contact (not the NWI) is the bottom of the MNI. The NWI will vary with changes in the CGWS and may be well below the perching contact.

The perching contact can be identified on the ANT DGP if the equilibrium NWI has risen above the elevation of the perching contact causing the NAPL condition to be temporarily unconfined. The change can be identified on the DGP as an inflection point where the trend lines switch from the characteristic shape of perched conditions to that of unconfined conditions. The MNI for the perched conditions corresponds to the ANT at the inflection point on the DGP (Figure 6).

Figure 6 – DGP of LNAPL demonstrating identification of the MNI at the inflection point between unconfined and perched conditions.

If the water table has not been high enough historically to identify the inflection point, the MNI can be estimated using the perching contact identified from the boring log or other data in the CSM. The MNI is the difference in elevation from the ANI to the perching contact.

Discharge versus Drawdown Plots

The NAPL discharge rate is constant when the ANI is below the perching contact. When the ANI rises above the perching contact, the NAPL in the well is in communication with the NAPL in the formation. For further increases in ANT, the NAPL drawdown and discharge rate linearly decrease as shown in Figure 5.

The perching contact can be identified as the elevation of the ANI when the NAPL discharge rate into the well begins to decrease linearly. The MNI is estimated as the elevation difference from the static ANI to the perching contact, and for perched NAPL is equal to the drawdown at the inflection point (Kirkman et al, 2013).

Summary
For confined and perched LNAPL the MNI cannot be estimated from the ANT gauged in a well at equilibrium, but can be derived from DGP and/or DvD plot analyses. For both confined and perched LNAPL, the MNI can be generally stable over time absent recovery, leaky boundaries, migration or the introduction of LNAPL from a “new” release. Because the MNI is stable, LNAPL transmissivity measurements should be stable over time as well. The MNI for confined and perched LNAPL (but not the ANT) represents the height of the “Shark Fin” saturation curve (i.e., the thickness of the formation with LNAPL present above residual saturation). Identification of the MNI is particularly critical for confined and perched LNAPL in order to correctly calculate LNAPL mobility and recoverability, to correctly model LNAPL saturation and recovery profiles, and to correctly target the portion of the formation with recoverable LNAPL.

A Word of Caution
DGPs require equilibrium fluid data. Use of non-equilibrium data can cause inaccurate estimation of MNI. A detailed CSM is required to understand which hydrogeologic condition is appropriate and how that condition has changed, or may change, over time. Estimated MNI should be verified against other lines of evidence in the CSM. Understanding MNI is critical for calculating NAPL drawdown and transmissivity. The final results need to be interpreted within the context of the precision of the MNI estimation.

References:
ASTM
2013 Standard Guide for Estimation of LNAPL Transmissivity. ASTM E2856-13. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA.

Hawthorne, J. Michael
2011 Diagnostic Gauge Plots, Applied NAPL Science Review (Volume 1, Issue 2), February 2011.

Hawthorne, J. Michael
2014 Calculating NAPL Drawdown, Applied NAPL Science Review, (Volume 4, issue 3), September 2014.

Hawthorne, J. Michael, and Andrew J. Kirkman
2011 Discharge vs. Drawdown Graphs, Applied NAPL Science Review (Volume 1, Issue 4), April 2011.

Kirkman, Andrew J., Mark Adamski, and J. Michael Hawthorne
2013 Identification and Assessment of Confined and Perched LNAPL Conditions, Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation, Volume 33, Issue 1, pp 75-86.


Research Corner

Thank you to Dr. Tom Sale of the Colorado State University, Center for Contaminant Hydrology, for
providing access to selected graduate level NAPL research.

A Mass Balance Approach to Resolving the Stability of LNAPL Bodies

Nicholas T. Mahler
Master of Science
Colorado State University

Abstract: Light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) are commonly present in soils and groundwater beneath petroleum facilities. When sufficient amounts of LNAPL have been released continuous bodies of LNAPL form. These bodies can have detrimental impacts to soil gas and groundwater. Furthermore, with time they can expand or translate laterally. Measurements of LNAPL flux within continuous bodies typically indicate that LNAPL is moving, albeit slowly. Commonly, these fluxes have been used to infer (by continuity) that the bodies as a whole are expanding and/or translating laterally. In conflict with this, dissolved plumes downgradient of LNAPL bodies are widely thought to be stable or shrinking due to natural attenuation. The hypothesis of this research is that natural losses of LNAPL in contiguous bodies can play an important role in limiting expansion and/or lateral translation of LNAPL bodies. Much like dissolved phase plumes, LNAPL bodies can be stable when internal fluxes are balanced by natural losses.

As a first step, 50 measurements of LNAPL fluxes through wells from seven field sites are reviewed. All the values were acquired using tracer dilution techniques. The mean and median of the LNAPL flux measurements are 0.15 and 0.064 m/year, respectively. The measured LNAPL fluxes are three to five orders of magnitude less than typical groundwater fluxes. The primary significance of the small magnitude of the LNAPL fluxes relative to groundwater fluxes is that LNAPL discharge to the downgradient body could easily be equal to or less than the natural downgradient LNAPL losses that occur through dissolution into groundwater or evaporation into soil gas. In general no clear correlations are seen between measured LNAPL fluxes and LNAPL thicknesses in wells, lengths to downgradient edges of LNAPL, or the specific gravities (density of LNAPL/ density of water) of the LNAPL.

Secondly, a proof-of-concept sand tank experiment is presented. The objective was to resolve if natural LNAPL losses can limit expansion of an LNAPL body given a constant source. An open top glass and stainless steel tank (1 m by 0.5 m by 0.025 m) was filled with uniform coarse sand and water. Water was pumped through the tank producing a water seepage velocity of 0.25 m/day. Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) was added to the tank at constant rates that were step-wise increased five times through a 120 day experiment. In all cases the MTBE body initially expanded followed by subsequent stabilization at a finite length. The key observation was that steady LNAPL pool lengths were achieved with a constant inflow of LNAPL into the system.

Lastly, analytical models are developed. The models describe the size of LNAPL bodies and spatial variations in LNAPL fluxes as a function of influent loading, rates of natural losses, and time. Three idealized geometries of LNAPL bodies are considered. These include one dimensional, circular, and oblong. Results indicate LNAPL fluxes decline progressing from the interior to the edges of an LNAPL body. Per the laboratory studies, the solutions show that LNAPL bodies with a constant source reach finite dimensions at large times. Building on this research it seems that a pragmatic goal for management of contiguous LNAPL bodies is attaining a condition where the LNAPL bodies as a whole are stable or shrinking.

The primary objective of ANSR is the dissemination of technical information on the science behind the characterization and remediation of Light and Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (NAPLs). Expanding on this goal, the Research Corner has been established to provide research information on advances in NAPL science from academia and similar research institutions. Each issue will provide a brief synopsis of a research topic and link to the thesis/dissertation/report, wherever available.


Practical Stats

Top Twelve Tip #7:
Maximize the Signal to Noise Ratio

Dr. Dennis Helsel
www.practicalstats.com

Environmental data often come from ‘uncontrolled experiments’. Scientists must collect observational data rather than controlling all variables except one and examining only the effect of changes in the one. Effects of climate, weather, and human activities (among others) produce noise that can rarely be avoided or controlled. Whether performing hypothesis tests, regression, or trend analysis, it is important to account for the effects of uncontrolled variables that may be affecting the outcome of a statistical test.

Load (mass) of sediment is plotted in the left panel below versus time. A simple regression produces a p-value of 0.15, insufficient for evidence of a linear relation between the two. Does this prove that there is no trend in load? No! Multiple regression removes the effect of streamflow, known by the scientist to be a major contributor to the pattern in load. The up and down variation in streamflow that causes some of the variation in load is removed, reducing the noise and making the trend signal easier to detect. This is pictured in the right-hand panel, where the trend signal can now be distinguished, resulting in a p-value <0.001. With environmental data, the scientist can rarely afford to do a simplistic test and stop there.


Related Links

API LNAPL Resources
ASTM LCSM Guide
Env Canada Oil Properties DB
EPA NAPL Guidance
ITRC LNAPL Resources
ITRC LNAPL Training
ITRC DNAPL Documents
RTDF NAPL Training
RTDF NAPL Publications
USGS LNAPL Facts

ANSR Archives

ANSR Archives

Coming Up

Look for more articles on LNAPL transmissivity as well as additional explanations of laser induced fluorescence, natural source zone depletion and LNAPL Distribution and Recovery Modeling in coming newsletters.

Announcements


PERMUTATION TESTS
January 11-12, 2016
Golden, CO

The 2-day course taught by Dr. Dennis Helsel provides training on various topics in environmental statistics including computation of bootstrap confidence intervals and the permutation equivalent of t-tests, ANOVA and regression, without assuming and testing for normality.

Additional information on the training is available at
https://practicalstats.com/training/permtest/styled-2/


UNTANGLING MULTIVARIATE RELATIONSHIPS
January 13-14, 2016
Golden, CO

The 2-day course taught by Dr. Dennis Helsel provides training on discerning and describing patterns and trends in multiple chemical and biological measures.

Additional information on the training is available at
https://practicalstats.com/umr/outline.html


APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL STATISTICS
February 1-5, 2016
St.Paul, MN

This 4.5-day course will provide hands-on expertise for environmental scientists who interpret data and present their findings to others. Through lectures, examples, and hands-on exercises assessing environmental data with the open-source program “R”, attendees will develop a complete understanding of statistical methods through applications to field-oriented problems in water quality, air quality, and bio-contaminants. Statistical methods will be explained in the light of data with non-detects, outliers, and skewed distributions. Methods for estimation and
prediction will be illustrated along with their common pitfalls. Emphases include nonparametric methods, including permutation tests and bootstrapping. Topics covered will include data description, comparing two groups of data, linear regression and multiple regression, analysis of covariance, trend analysis, and logistic regression.

Additional information on the training is available at
https://practicalstats.com/training/


ITRC 2-DAY CLASSROOM TRAINING:
Light Non-aqueous Phase Liquids (LNAPL): Science, Management, and Technology

April 5-6, 2016 (tentative)
Atlanta (area), GA

GEI Consultants, Inc. is co-sponsoring the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council’s (ITRC’s) upcoming 2-day training class, Light Nonaqueous-Phase Liquids: Science, Management, and Technology. The training, which will be provided by the LNAPL team, is based on ITRC’s Technical and Regulatory Guidance document, Evaluating LNAPL Remedial Technologies for Achieving Project Goals (LNAPL-2). This classroom training led by internationally recognized experts should enable you to:

  • Develop and apply an LNAPL Conceptual Site Model (LCSM).
  • Understand and assess LNAPL subsurface behavior.
  • Develop and justify LNAPL remedial objectives including maximum extent practicable considerations.
  • Select appropriate LNAPL remedial technologies and measure progress.
  • Use ITRC’s science-based LNAPL guidance to efficiently move sites to closure.

Information on 2016 dates and locations coming soon. To receive an email when more information is available, email us at training@itrcweb.org.


Petroleum Vapor Intrusion: Fundamentals of Screening,
Investigation, and Management
May 9-10, 2016 in Denver, CO (tentative)
Summer/Fall 2016 in New Jersey (area) (tentative)
November 9-10, 2016 in Boston (area), MA (tentative)

This 2-day ITRC classroom training is based on the ITRC Technical and Regulatory Guidance Web-Based Document, Petroleum Vapor Intrusion: Fundamentals of Screening, Investigation, and Management (PVI-1, 2014) and led by internationally recognized experts. The class should enable the trainee to:

  • Develop on-the-job skills to screen-out petroleum sites based on the scientifically-supported ITRC strategy and checklist.
  • Focus the limited resources investigating those PVI sites that truly represent an unacceptable risk; communicate ITRC PVI strategy and justify science-based decisions to management, clients, and the public.
  • Understand the essential principles of biodegradation and the fundamentals of vapor movement through the vadose zone.
  • Appreciate the important role of modeling in the investigation of petroleum sites.

Information on 2016 dates and locations coming soon. To receive an email when more information is available, email us at training@itrcweb.org.


An updated version of the ASTM Guide for Calculating LNAPL Transmissivity is Now Available for Purchase at www.astm.org.

ASTM Standard E2856 – Standard guide for Estimation of LNAPL Transmissivity is now available


The ASTM LNAPL Conceptual Site Model (LCSM) workgroup is actively updating the ASTM LCSM guidance document. If you are interested in participating on this team or would like to send comments for consideration – please contact Andrew Kirkman of BP Americas (team leader).


ANSR now has a companion group on LinkedIn that is open to all and is intended to provide a forum for the exchange of questions and information about NAPL science. You are all invited to join by clicking here OR search for “ANSR – Applied NAPL Science Review” on LinkedIn.

If you have a question or want to share information on applied NAPL science, then the ANSR LinkedIn group is an excellent forum to reach out to others internationally.