HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Brusseau, M. L. Articles by Costanza-Robinson, M. S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Brusseau, M. L. Articles by Costanza-Robinson, M. S. GeoRef GeoRef Citation Agricola Articles by Brusseau, M. L. Articles by Costanza-Robinson, M. S. Related Collections Vadose Zone Processes and Chemical Transport Soil Pollution

SPECIAL SUBMISSIONS: Contaminant Characterization, Transport, and Remediation in Complex Multiphase Systems

Partitioning Tracer Tests for Characterizing Immiscible-Fluid Saturations and Interfacial Areas in the Vadose Zone

^a Soil, Water, and Environmental Science Department and Hydrology and Water Resources Dep., 429 Shantz, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 86721
^b Hydrology and Water Resources Dep., 429 Shantz, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 86721
^c Soil, Water, and Environmental Science Dep., 429 Shantz, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 86721
^* Corresponding author (brusseau{at}ag.arizona.edu)

Received 1 October 2002.

Contaminant-transport analyses, risk assessments, and site remediations are all constrained by the complexity of the subsurface environment and by our insufficient knowledge of that environment. Most current subsurface characterization methods provide measurements for very small spatial domains, such that they are essentially point values. While such methods can provide accurate and precise data for small scales, their use for characterizing larger domains is generally constrained by sample-size limitations. Thus, methods that provide measurements at larger scales are being developed to complement the point-sampling methods. One such group of methods is based on the use of tracer tests. This review will cover "partitioning" tracer tests, which can be used to measure immiscible-liquid saturation of organic contaminants, soil water content, and fluid–fluid interfacial areas in subsurface systems. The conceptual basis and implementation of these methods will be briefly reviewed, with a focus on vadose zone applications.

Abbreviations: SVE, soil vapor extraction

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Khaleel and K. P. Saripalli An Air-Water Interfacial Area Based Variable Tortuosity Model for Unsaturated Sands Vadose Zone J., May 26, 2006; 5(2): 764 - 776. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Hohener and H. Surbeck Radon-222 as a Tracer for Nonaqueous Phase Liquid in the Vadose Zone: Experiments and Analytical Model Vadose Zone J., November 1, 2004; 3(4): 1276 - 1285. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. L. Brusseau, M. L. Brusseau, K. M. Bronson, S. Ross, N. T. Nelson, and T. D. Carlson Application of Gas-Phase Partitioning Tracer Tests to Characterize Immiscible-Liquid Contamination in the Vadose Zone Beneath a Fuel Depot Vadose Zone J., May 1, 2003; 2(2): 148 - 153. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]