Comparison, Validation, and Use of Models for Predicting Indoor Air Quality from Soil and Groundwater Contamination

Hers, Ian; Zapf-Gilje, Reidar; Evans, Dyfed Lloyd; Li, Loretta Y.

doi:10.1080/20025891107140

Cited by 40 publications

(49 citation statements)

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“…In general, the traditional soil-type independent and SWC-based Dp(va)/Do models largely overestimated Two-Retention-Point, 2RP (this study) (11,12,13) Table 2). …”

Section: Model Testsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The movement of gaseous phase contaminants in soil (e.g., volatile organic chemicals as a result of spills or leaks from underground tanks) is generally controlled by gas diŠusion through tortuous air-ˆlled pathways in between soil particle-water complexes (Hers et al, 2002). An accurate prediction of the soil-gas diŠusion coe‹cient (Dp) and its dependency on the soil moisture conditions in the unsaturated zone are, therefore, essential to realistically simulate the migration of soil-gaseous contaminants and to quantify the associated risk from soil contamination (Petersen et al, 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Linear Model to Predict Soil-Gas Diffusivity from Two Soil-Water Retention Points in Unsaturated Volcanic Ash Soils

Resurreccion

Komatsu

Kawamoto

et al. 2008

Soils and Foundations

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“…In general, the traditional soil-type independent and SWC-based Dp(va)/Do models largely overestimated Two-Retention-Point, 2RP (this study) (11,12,13) Table 2). …”

Section: Model Testsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Linear Model to Predict Soil-Gas Diffusivity from Two Soil-Water Retention Points in Unsaturated Volcanic Ash Soils

Resurreccion

Komatsu

Kawamoto

et al. 2008

Soils and Foundations

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“…These models show that viscous gas transport can be caused by a variety of processes including the injection and extraction of air or vapor [e.g. Massmann, 1989;Falta et al, 1992], the volatilization of organic compounds [e.g., Falta et al, 1989;Mendoza and Frind, 1990;Gaganis et al, 2004], sustained underpressurization relative to atmospheric conditions in basements of buildings and the adjacent sediments [e.g., Hers et al, 2002;Abreu and Johnson, 2005], barometric pumping [e.g., Massmann and Farrier, 1992], displacement due to infiltrating recharge water [e.g., Celia and Binning, 1992], and temperature changes [e.g., White, 1995].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Coupling between geochemical reactions and multicomponent gas and solute transport in unsaturated media: A reactive transport modeling study

Molins

Mayer

2007

Water Resources Research

107

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[1] The two-way coupling that exists between biogeochemical reactions and vadose zone transport processes, in particular gas phase transport, determines the composition of soil gas. To explore these feedback processes quantitatively, multicomponent gas diffusion and advection are implemented into an existing reactive transport model that includes a full suite of geochemical reactions. Multicomponent gas diffusion is described on the basis of the dusty gas model, which accounts for all relevant gas diffusion mechanisms. The simulation of gas attenuation in partially saturated landfill soil covers, methane production, and oxidation in aquifers contaminated by organic compounds (e.g., an oil spill site) and pyrite oxidation in mine tailings demonstrate that both diffusive and advective gas transport can be affected by geochemical reactions. Methane oxidation in landfill covers reduces the existing upward pressure gradient, thereby decreasing the contribution of advective methane emissions to the atmosphere and enhancing the net flux of atmospheric oxygen into the soil column. At an oil spill site, methane oxidation causes a reversal in the direction of gas advection, which results in advective transport toward the zone of oxidation both from the ground surface and the deeper zone of methane production. Both diffusion and advection contribute to supply atmospheric oxygen into the subsurface, and methane emissions to the atmosphere are averted. During pyrite oxidation in mine tailings, pressure reduction in the reaction zone drives advective gas flow into the sediment column, enhancing the oxidation process. In carbonate-rich mine tailings, calcite dissolution releases carbon dioxide, which partly offsets the pressure reduction caused by O 2 consumption.Citation: Molins, S., and K. U. Mayer (2007), Coupling between geochemical reactions and multicomponent gas and solute transport in unsaturated media: A reactive transport modeling study, Water Resour. Res., 43, W05435,

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“…40 The Q soil range is roughly based on measured values from tracer tests at several sites for coarse-grained (sand to gravel) soils. 41 The modeling assumes a soil contamination source above the water table. The highest α values are estimated when there is shallow contamination, dry soil (i.e., high air-filled porosity), high advective soil gas flow rates into the building, and low ventilation rates.…”

Section: Significance Of Subsurface Relative To Indoor Voc Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These values were subjectively chosen based on the authors' research and review of other studies. 39,41 The building mixing height is the height over which mixing of soil vapor contaminants take place. The assumed range corresponds to a one-to two-story house.…”

Section: Significance Of Subsurface Relative To Indoor Voc Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Use of Indoor Air Measurements To Evaluate Intrusion of Subsurface VOC Vapors into Buildings

Hers

Zapf-Gilje

et al. 2001

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association

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The implementation of a risk-based corrective action approach often requires consideration of soil vapor migration into buildings and potential inhalation exposure and risk to human health. Due to the uncertainty associated with models for this pathway, there may be a desire to analyze indoor air samples to validate model predictions, and this approach is followed on a somewhat frequent basis at sites where risks are considered potentially significant. Indoor air testing can be problematic for a number of reasons. Soil vapor intrusion into buildings is complex, highly dependent on site-specific conditions, and may vary over time, complicating the interpretation of indoor air measurements when the goal is to deduce the subsurface-derived component. An extensive survey of indoor air quality data sets highlights the variability in indoor volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations and numerous sources that can lead to elevated VOC levels. The contribution from soil vapor is likely to be small relative to VOCs from other sources for most sites. In light of these challenges, we discuss how studies that use indoor air testing to assess subsurface risks could be improved. To provide added perspective, we conclude by comparing indoor air concentrations and risks arising from subsurface VOCs, predicted using standard model equations for soil vapor fate and intrusion into buildings, to those associated with indoor sources.

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Comparison, Validation, and Use of Models for Predicting Indoor Air Quality from Soil and Groundwater Contamination

Cited by 40 publications

References 0 publications

Linear Model to Predict Soil-Gas Diffusivity from Two Soil-Water Retention Points in Unsaturated Volcanic Ash Soils

Linear Model to Predict Soil-Gas Diffusivity from Two Soil-Water Retention Points in Unsaturated Volcanic Ash Soils

Coupling between geochemical reactions and multicomponent gas and solute transport in unsaturated media: A reactive transport modeling study

The Use of Indoor Air Measurements To Evaluate Intrusion of Subsurface VOC Vapors into Buildings

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