Award Date
2009
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Geoscience
Department
Geoscience
Advisor 1
Dave Kreamer, Committee Chair
First Committee Member
Dale Werkema
Second Committee Member
Michael Nicholl
Graduate Faculty Representative
Barbara Luke
Number of Pages
185
Abstract
In this project, the resistivity and phase shift of ten surfactant aqueous solutions in a sand matrix were measured using spectral induced polarization (SIP). In addition, specific conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and dielectric constant measurements of the solutions were also evaluated. The frequency range assessed was 0.091-12000Hz. The surfactants, which are typically used in the remediation of tetrachloroethylene, were Aerosol MA 80-I, Dowfax 8390, and Steol CS-330. The surfactants were mixed into solutions of both deionized and tap water at varying concentrations and injected into a closed system of silica sand. The surfactant treatments altered resistivity, specific conductivity, and pH to varying degrees. Increased real and specific conductivities associated with surfactant presence support the work of Werkema (2008), and the correlation between real and specific conductivities indicates that the primary electrical conduction mechanism in quartz sand-water environment. A decrease in the pH response associated with high concentration surfactant solutions could impact subsurface organisms, potentially affecting bioremediation. Phase, dissolved oxygen, and dielectric constant response to surfactant showed little change from the control. The positive results suggest that geoelectrical changes may be an applicable property to map and monitor surfactant floods in the subsurface. In order to better understand how the geoelectrical response of surfactant solutions would respond in a field situation, it will be necessary to increase the complexity of the experimental set-up. Increasing the heterogeneity of both the solid materials and pore fluid through the addition of clays and chlorinated solvents are potential avenues to follow.
Keywords
Aerosol MA 80-I; Aquifer remediation; Conductivity; Dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs); Dissolved oxygen; Dowfax 8390; Electrical conduction; Geoelectrical monitoring; Groundwater contamination; Non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs); pH levels; Quartz sand-water environment; Surfactant-enhanced aquifer remediation (SEAR); Silica sand; Spectral induced polarization (SIP); Steol CS-330; Surfactants
Disciplines
Environmental Health and Protection | Environmental Monitoring | Geology | Geophysics and Seismology
File Format
Degree Grantor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Language
English
Repository Citation
Magill, Meghan Therese, "Geoelectrical response of surfactant solutions in a quartzitic sand analog aquifer" (2009). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 113.
http://dx.doi.org/10.34917/1383915
Rights
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Included in
Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Geology Commons, Geophysics and Seismology Commons