NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS OF RADON AS AN IN SITU PARTITIONING TRACER FOR QUANTIFYING NAPL CONTAMINATION USING PUSH?PULL TESTS

Presented here is a reanalysis of results previously presented by Davis et al. (2002) of push–pull tests using radon as a naturally occurring partitioning tracer for evaluating NAPL (Nonaqueous phase liquid) contamination. The simulations showed that these factors influence radon BTCs (Breakthrough curve) and resulting estimates of Sn (NAPL saturation). A revised method of interpreting radon BTCs is presented here, which takes into account initial radon concentrations and uses non-normalized radon BTCs. This revised method produces greater radon BTC sensitivity at small values of Sn and was used to re-analyze the results from the PAM (Physical aquifer model) push–pull tests reported by Davis et al.