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Sun Y, Liu Y, Yue G, Cao J, Li C, Ma J. Vapor-phase biodegradation and natural attenuation of petroleum VOCs in the unsaturated zone: A microcosm study. CHEMOSPHERE 2023:139275. [PMID: 37343641 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Traditional natural attenuation studies focus on aqueous process in the saturated zone while vapor-phase biodegradation and natural attenuation in the unsaturated zone received much less attention. This study used microcosm experiments to explore the vapor-phase biodegradation and natural attenuation of 23 petroleum VOCs in the unsaturated zone including 7 monoaromatic hydrocarbons, 6 n-alkanes, 4 cycloalkanes, 3 alkylcycloalkanes and 3 fuel ethers. We found that monoaromatic hydrocarbon vapors were easily attenuated with significantly high first-order biodegradation rates (9.48 d-1-43.20 d-1) in live yellow earth, of which toluene and benzene had the highest biodegradation rates (43.20 d-1 and 28.32 d-1, respectively). The 13 aliphatic hydrocarbons and 3 fuel ethers all have relatively low attenuation rates (<0.54 d-1) in live soil and negligible biodegradation contribution. We explored the effects of soil types (black soil, yellow earth, lateritic red earth and quartz sand), soil moisture (2, 5, 10, and 17 wt%) contents and temperatures (4, 15, 25, 35 and 45 °C) on the vapor attenuation. Results showed that increasing soil organic matter (SOM) content, silt content, porosity and soil microorganism numbers enhanced contaminant attenuation and remediation efficiency. Increasing moisture content reduced the apparent first-order biodegradation rates of monoaromatic hydrocarbon vapors. The vapor-phase biodegradation had optimal temperature (∼25 °C in yellow earth) and increasing or decreasing temperature slowed down biodegradation rate. Overall, this study enhanced our understanding of vapor-phase biodegradation and natural attenuation of petroleum VOCs in the unsaturated zone, which is critical for the long-term management and remediation of petroleum contaminated site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China
| | - Yanbo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China
| | - Gangsen Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China
| | - Jinhui Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China
| | - Chong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China
| | - Jie Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China.
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Unnithan A, Bekele DN, Chadalavada S, Naidu R. Two-dimensional chlorinated vapour intrusion model involving advective transport of vapours with a highly permeable granular layer in the vadose zone serving as the preferential pathway. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 869:161743. [PMID: 36690102 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Vapour intrusion (VI) is the process through which volatile organic compounds migrate from the subsurface source to the soil predominantly by diffusion, entering the overlying buildings through joints, cracks or other openings. This activity poses potentially serious health hazards for the occupants. Because of these health risks, recommendations for site closure are often made by quantifying the VI risks using mathematical models known as 'vapour intrusion models' (VIM). Most of these VIMs seem to overlook the role of preferred pathways like utility lines, high conductivity zones of soil or rocks, etc., which act as the path of least resistance for vapour transport thereby increasing vapour intrusion risks. This study presents a two-dimensional (2-D) chlorinated vapour intrusion (CVI) model which seeks to estimate the source-to-indoor air concentration attenuation. It takes into account the effects of a highly permeable utility line embedment as a preferential pathway. The transport of 2-D soil gas is described using the finite difference method where advection serves as the dominant transport mechanism in the preferential pathway layer, while diffusion applies to the rest of the vadose zone. The model returned results comparable with other models for the same input parameters, and was found to closely replicate the results of 3-D models. The simulations indicate that the presence of highly permeable utility line embedment and backfill layers do trigger a higher indoor air concentration compared to a no preferential pathway scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aravind Unnithan
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Dawit Nega Bekele
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Douglas Partners Pty Ltd., 439 Montague Road, West End, QLD 4101, Australia
| | - Sreenivasulu Chadalavada
- School of Engineering, The University of Southern Queensland, 37 Sinnathamby Boulevard, University Drive, Springfield Lakes, QLD 4300, Australia
| | - Ravi Naidu
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; crcCARE, ATC Building, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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Li D, Zhang H, Xu E. A spatial directivity-based sensitivity analysis to farmland quality evaluation in arid areas. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:66359-66372. [PMID: 35501443 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20531-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) is an important means for evaluating resources and environment, and sensitivity analysis can enhance understand the robustness of evaluation results. Spatial visualization has been used in sensitivity analysis of MCDM, but the sensitivity results are still generally summarized by presenting traditional statistical measurements that omit the spatial information. To address this issue, this paper proposed a novel spatially measurement approach of sensitivity analysis by introducing the spatial barycenter model (SBM), which overcame the limitations of existing statistical methods and provided the spatial directivity of uncertainty for the MCDM results. According to our proposed method and its application in farmland quality evaluation (FQE) in an arid area of China, the mean of the absolute average change rate (MACR) and the SBM were applied to test the sensitivity of farmland quality to different evaluation factors from both numerical and spatial perspectives. From the numerical perspective, the soil organic matter and irrigation capacity were the most sensitive factors determined by the MACR. From the spatial perspective, the ≥10 °C accumulated temperature (AT) and precipitation were the most sensitive factors measured by the SBM. Based on the SBM, the spatial configuration of farmland quality index was most sensitive to increase of AT in a northwesterly direction. Calculating the SBM is computationally inexpensive and provides a straightforward indication of spatial direction for the changes of FQE results with changes of parameters. This means it can provide improved understandings and new insights into the comprehensive measurement of sensitivity analysis and agricultural production layout.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dajing Li
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hongqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Erqi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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Man J, Guo Y, Jin J, Zhang J, Yao Y, Zhang J. Characterization of vapor intrusion sites with a deep learning-based data assimilation method. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 431:128600. [PMID: 35255335 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Appropriate characterization of site soils is essential for accurate risk assessment of soil vapor intrusion (VI). In this study, we develop a data assimilation method based on deep learning (i.e., ES(DL)) to estimate the distribution of soil properties with limited measurements. Two hypothetical VI scenarios are employed to demonstrate site characterization using the ES(DL) method, followed by validation with a laboratory sandbox experiment and then one practical site application. The results show that the ES(DL) method can provide reasonable estimates of the effective diffusion coefficient distributions and corresponding emission rates (into the building) in all four cases. The spatial heterogeneity of site soils can be characterized by considerably enough measurements (i.e., 15 sampling points in the first hypothetical case); otherwise, layered characterization is recommended at the cost of neglecting horizontal heterogeneity of site soils. This new method provides an alternative to characterize VI sites with relatively fewer sampling efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Man
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuanming Guo
- Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Junliang Jin
- Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China
| | - Jianyun Zhang
- Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China
| | - Yijun Yao
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Jiangjiang Zhang
- Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China.
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Ma J, McHugh T, Beckley L, Lahvis M, DeVaull G, Jiang L. Vapor Intrusion Investigations and Decision-Making: A Critical Review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:7050-7069. [PMID: 32384239 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
At sites impacted by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), vapor intrusion (VI) is the pathway with the greatest potential to result in actual human exposure. Since sites with VI were first widely publicized in late 1990s, the scientific understanding of VI has evolved considerably. The VI conceptual model has been extended beyond relatively simple scenarios to include nuances, such as biological and hydrogeological factors that may limit the potential for VI and alternative pathways, such as preferential pathways and direct building contact/infiltration that may enhance VI in some cases. Regulatory guidance documents typically recommend initial concentration- or distance-based screening to evaluate whether VI may be a concern, followed by a multiple-lines-of-evidence (MLE) investigation approach for sites that do not screen out. These recommendations for detailed evaluation of VI currently focus on monitoring of VOC concentrations in groundwater, soil gas, and indoor air and can be supplemented by other lines of evidence. In this Critical Review, we summarize key elements important to VI site characterization, provide the status and current understanding, and highlight data interpretation challenges, as well as innovative tools developed to help overcome the challenges. Although there have been significant advances in the understanding of VI in the past 20 years, limitations and knowledge gaps in screening, investigation methods, and modeling approaches still exist. Potential areas for further research include improved initial screening methods that account for the site-specific role of barriers, improved understanding of preferential pathways, and systematic study of buildings and infrastructure other than single-family residences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Thomas McHugh
- GSI Environmental, Houston, Texas 77098, United States
| | - Lila Beckley
- GSI Environmental, Houston, Texas 77098, United States
| | - Matthew Lahvis
- Shell Global Solutions (US), Inc., Shell Technology Center, Houston, Texas 77082, United States
| | - George DeVaull
- Shell Global Solutions (US), Inc., Shell Technology Center, Houston, Texas 77082, United States
| | - Lin Jiang
- National Engineering Research Centre of Urban Environmental Pollution Control, Beijing Municipal Research Institute of Environmental Protection, Beijing 100037, China
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Ma J, Xiong D, Li H, Ding Y, Xia X, Yang Y. Vapor intrusion risk of fuel ether oxygenates methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME) and ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE): A modeling study. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2017; 332:10-18. [PMID: 28279869 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.02.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Vapor intrusion of synthetic fuel additives represents a critical yet still neglected problem at sites contaminated by petroleum fuel releases. This study used an advanced numerical model to investigate the vapor intrusion potential of fuel ether oxygenates methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME), and ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE). Simulated indoor air concentration of these compounds can exceed USEPA indoor air screening level for MTBE (110μg/m3). Our results also reveal that MTBE has much higher chance to cause vapor intrusion problems than TAME and ETBE. This study supports the statements made by USEPA in the Petroleum Vapor Intrusion (PVI) Guidance that the vertical screening criteria for petroleum hydrocarbons may not provide sufficient protectiveness for fuel additives, and ether oxygenates in particular. In addition to adverse impacts on human health, ether oxygenate vapor intrusion may also cause aesthetic problems (i.e., odour and flavour). Overall, this study points out that ether oxygenates can cause vapor intrusion problems. We recommend that USEPA consider including the field measurement data of synthetic fuel additives in the existing PVI database and possibly revising the PVI Guidance as necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China; State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China.
| | - Desen Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Haiyan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Yi Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Xiangcheng Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China
| | - Yongqi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China
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Effects of Water Management Strategies on Water Balance in a Water Scarce Region: A Case Study in Beijing by a Holistic Model. SUSTAINABILITY 2016. [DOI: 10.3390/su8080749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Ma J, Li H, Spiese R, Wilson J, Yan G, Guo S. Vapor intrusion risk of lead scavengers 1,2-dibromoethane (EDB) and 1,2-dichloroethane (DCA). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2016; 213:825-832. [PMID: 27038569 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2016] [Revised: 03/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Vapor intrusion of synthetic fuel additives represented a critical yet still neglected problem at sites impacted by petroleum fuel releases. This study used an advanced numerical model to simulate the vapor intrusion risk of lead scavengers 1,2-dibromoethane (ethylene dibromide, EDB) and 1,2-dichloroethane (DCA) under different site conditions. We found that simulated EDB and DCA indoor air concentrations can exceed USEPA screening level (4.7 × 10(-3) μg/m(3) for EDB and 1.1 × 10(-1) μg/m(3) for DCA) if the source concentration is high enough (is still within the concentration range found at leaking UST site). To evaluate the chance that vapor intrusion of EDB might exceed the USEPA screening levels for indoor air, the simulation results were compared to the distribution of EDB at leaking UST sites in the US. If there is no degradation of EDB or only abiotic degradation of EDB, from 15% to 37% of leaking UST sites might exceed the USEPA screening level. This study supports the statements made by USEPA in the Petroleum Vapor Intrusion (PVI) Guidance that the screening criteria for petroleum hydrocarbon may not provide sufficient protectiveness for fuel releases containing EDB and DCA. Based on a thorough literature review, we also compiled previous published data on the EDB and DCA groundwater source concentrations and their degradation rates. These data are valuable in evaluating EDB and DCA vapor intrusion risk. In addition, a set of refined attenuation factors based on site-specific information (e.g., soil types, source depths, and degradation rates) were provided for establishing site-specific screening criteria for EDB and DCA. Overall, this study points out that lead scavengers EDB and DCA may cause vapor intrusion problems. As more field data of EDB and DCA become available, we recommend that USEPA consider including these data in the existing PVI database and possibly revising the PVI Guidance as necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China.
| | - Haiyan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China
| | - Richard Spiese
- Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, Waste Management & Prevention Division, Montpelier, VT, 05620, USA
| | - John Wilson
- Scissortail Environmental Solutions, LLC., Ada, OK, 74820, USA
| | - Guangxu Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China
| | - Shaohui Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Lab of Oil & Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China
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