Investigation of the vadose zone using barometric pressure cycles

Neeper, D.A.

doi:10.1016/s0169-7722(01)00146-2

Cited by 58 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Further calculations based on pressure differences between boreholes 54-01015 and 54-01016 suggest that the basalt permeability exceeds 10 −9 m 2 at depth > 100 m bgs (Neeper, 2002). Barometric pumping in the Cerros del Rio basalt generates 1-2-kPa variations in subsurface pressure, inducing oscillatory flow and creating an effective diffusivity that could be orders of magnitude larger than pure gas diffusion (Auer et al, 1996;Neeper, 2002). This indicates that the basalt is extremely conductive to airflow from outcrops such as those to the east of MDA L ( Figure S3).…”

Section: Site Hydrologymentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Site Hydrologymentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Periods of high atmospheric pressure push gases downward into the subsurface, while periods of low pressure draw gases upward toward the surface (Nilson et al, 1991). Barometric pumping has been investigated thoroughly in the literature (Kuang et al, 2013;Scotter et al, 1967;Scotter & Raats, 1968;You et al, 2011)), and has been used to characterize the subsurface (Neeper, 2002;Rossabi, 2006). Broadly, barometric pumping has been shown to impact the mobility of volatile organic compounds (VOCs; Auer et al, 1996;Neeper & Stauffer, 2012a, 2012bYou & Zhan, 2013) and radionuclide gases (Bourret et al, 2018;Carrigan et al, 1996;Harp et al, 2018;Jordan et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evidence for High Rates of Gas Transport in the Deep Subsurface

Stauffer

Rahn

Ortiz

et al. 2019

Geophysical Research Letters

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Barometric pumping caused by atmospheric pressure fluctuations contributes to the motion of gases in the vadose zone. While the resulting gas transport is often negligible in unfractured porous rocks, rates of transport in fractured media can be significant. Deep atmospheric pumping has implications for nuclear gas detection, water balance, and contaminant transport. We present results from a tracer test conducted to characterize deep subsurface fractured basalt and investigate the effects of barometric pumping on gaseous contaminant mobility. The tracer test provides data to constrain permeability, porosity, and diffusivity in a numerical representation of the experiment. A numerical model is used to simulate gas flow and dispersive transport under fluctuating pressure conditions. Tracer test and simulation results suggest that barometric pumping induces 10 to 100 times more mixing in the basalt than predicted by gas diffusion alone. Within the basalt fractures, estimates of gas velocity reach maximums of nearly 1,000 m/day.

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Section: Site Hydrologymentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Site Hydrologymentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evidence for High Rates of Gas Transport in the Deep Subsurface

Stauffer

Rahn

Ortiz

et al. 2019

Geophysical Research Letters

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“…Monitoring of gas fluxes is also carried out in the context of environmental applications or industrial projects such as geological sequestration of carbon dioxide (Lewicki et al, 2007a). While gas discharges may provide valuable information on subsurface conditions or deep crustal processes, they are potentially sensitive to meteorological effects such as atmospheric pressure variations (Clements and Wilkening, 1974;Neeper, 2002), wind (Lewicki et al, 2007b) and rainfall (Megumi and Mamuro, 1973;Viveiros et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistence of radon-222 flux during monsoon at a geothermal zone in Nepal

Girault

Koirala

Perrier

et al. 2009

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity

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“…In areas within the contiguous United States, the diurnal atmospheric pressure fluctuations can range between 0.3 to 6 inches of water, with pressure highs observed in the early morning and lows in the afternoon (ESTCP, 2006). Weather-front atmospheric pressure changes, on the other hand, typically last 3 to 5 days and can be of a significantly higher magnitude than the diurnal fluctuations (Neeper, 2002). Typical diurnal changes in the barometric pressure are shown in Figure The radius of influence (ROI) of a barometric application is a function of the soil permeability and the pressure gradient (Rohay et al, 1997).…”

Section: Deployment Summarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhanced Attenuation Technologies: Passive Soil Vapor Extraction

Vangelas¹,

Looney²,

Kamath³

et al. 2010

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARYPassive soil vapor extraction (PSVE) is an enhanced attenuation (EA) approach that removes volatile contaminants from soil. The extraction is driven by natural pressure gradients between the subsurface and atmosphere (Barometric Pumping), or by renewable sources of energy such as wind or solar power (Assisted PSVE). The technology is applicable for remediating sites with low levels of contamination and for transitioning sites from active source technologies such as active soil vapor extraction (ASVE) to natural attenuation. PSVE systems are simple to design and operate and are more cost effective than active systems in many scenarios. Thus, PSVE is often appropriate as an interim-remedial or polishing strategy. Over the past decade, PSVE has been demonstrated in the U.S. and in Europe. These demonstrations provide practical information to assist in selecting, designing and implementing the technology. These demonstrations indicate that the technology can be effective in achieving remedial objectives in a timely fashion. The keys to success include: 3) Provision of sufficient access to the contaminated vadose zones through the spacing and number of extraction wells.This PSVE technology report provides a summary of the relevant technical background, real-world case study performance, key design and cost considerations, and a scenariobased cost evaluation. The key design and cost considerations are organized into a flowchart that dovetails with the Enhanced Attenuation: Chlorinated Organics Guidance of the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC). The PSVE flowchart provides a structured process to determine if the technology is, or is not, reasonable and defensible for a particular site. The central basis for that decision is the expected performance of PSVE under the site specific conditions. Will PSVE have sufficient mass removal rates to reduce the release, or flux, of contamination into the underlying groundwater so that the site can meet it overall remedial objectives?The summary technical information, case study experiences, and structured decision process provided in this "user guide" should assist environmental decision-makers, regulators, and engineers in selecting and successfully implementing PSVE at appropriate sites.

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Investigation of the vadose zone using barometric pressure cycles

Cited by 58 publications

References 9 publications

Evidence for High Rates of Gas Transport in the Deep Subsurface

Evidence for High Rates of Gas Transport in the Deep Subsurface

Persistence of radon-222 flux during monsoon at a geothermal zone in Nepal

Enhanced Attenuation Technologies: Passive Soil Vapor Extraction

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