Site Characterization and Containment Assessment with Dissolved Gases

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Abstract
A passive in situ headspace sampler has been developed for the collection of dissolved gases in ground water during tracer tests using dissolved, inert gases. The sampler is constructed of a semipermeable membrane and copper tubing equipped with a Schrader valve. Because the headspace in the sampler equilibrates with the dissolved gases in the ground water, no water is collected, which can be a great advantage in use at contaminated sites. The injection of the dissolved gases into the ground water is accomplished by diffusion through a semipermeable membrane. Oak Ridge National Laboratory routinely uses this technology for site characterization. The passive-diffusive technology also has potential as a low-cost, low-maintenance, and long-term method for containment assessment.