The dielectric properties of granular media saturated with DNAPL/water mixtures

• Published in: Geophysical research letters Vol. 31; no. 17; pp. L17501 - n/a
• Main Authors: Ajo-Franklin, J. B., Geller, J. T., Harris, J. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Geophysical Union 01.09.2004; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES; GRANULAR MATERIALS; Groundwater quality; Hydrology; INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; Instruments and techniques; Magnetic and electrical properties; MIXTURES; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; Physical Properties of Rocks; SATURATION; WATER
• ISSN: 0094-8276; 1944-8007
• DOI: 10.1029/2004GL020672

We present the results of five experiments investigating the dielectric properties of granular materials partially saturated with trichloroethylene (TCE), a common dense non‐aqueous contaminant. Previous research has investigated the radar signatures of similar solvents in controlled field experiments but no core‐scale measurements have verified the appropriate petrophysical model. Broadband dielectric measurements were performed using a time domain reflectometry (TDR) system coupled to a solvent‐compatible coaxial transmission line. Two synthetic samples and three natural aquifer samples were fully saturated with water and then subjected to an axial TCE injection until breakthrough was observed. The resulting dielectric measurements show good agreement with the empirical complex refractive index model (CRIM) allowing a reasonable prediction of the radar reflectivities and transmission velocities expected in field surveys targeting pools of similar non‐aqueous contaminants.