Demonstration and Validation of a Water and Solute Flux Measuring Device. Protocol Report
Abstract
The passive flux meter (PFM) is a self-contained permeable unit that is inserted into a well to measure cumulative water and contaminant fluxes. The device operates by allowing groundwater to flow passively through it. The interior composition of the flux meter is a matrix of hydrophobic and hydrophilic permeable sorbents that retain dissolved organic and/or inorganic contaminants present in fluid intercepted by the unit. The sorbent matrix is also impregnated with known amounts of one or more fluid soluble "resident tracers." These tracers are leached from the sorbent at rates proportional to fluid flux. After a specified period of exposure to groundwater flow, the flux meter is removed from the well or boring. Next, the sorbent is carefully extracted to quantify the mass of all contaminants intercepted by the flux meter and the residual masses of all resident tracers. The contaminant masses are used to calculate cumulative and time-averaged contaminant mass fluxes, while residual resident tracer masses are used to calculate cumulative or time-averaged fluid flux. Depth variations of both water and contaminant fluxes can be measured in an aquifer from a single flux meter by vertically segmenting the exposed sorbent packing and analyzing for resident tracers and contaminants. Thus, at any specific well depth, an extraction from the locally exposed sorbent yields the mass of resident tracer remaining and the mass of contaminant intercepted. This report explains standard operating procedures for the PFM, the analytical methods supporting the sampling plan, calibration and quality assurance, data formatting and data storage procedures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA507200
Entities
People
- Kirk Hatfield
- Michael D. Annable
- P. S. Rao
Organizations
- University of Florida