Characterization and vapor intrusion risk assessment of VOCs in contaminated sites based on soil gas
HAO Chen-yu, ZHONG Mao-sheng, JIANG Lin, LI Ji-hong, MA Lin, WANG Yang
Beijing Key Laboratory for Risk Modeling and Remediation of Contaminated Sites, National Engineering Research Centre of Urban Environmental Pollution Control, Beijing Municipal Research Institute of Eco-Environmental Protection, Beijing 100037, China
Abstract:Contamination characterization and vapor intrusion risk evaluation based on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in bulk soil were recommended in the technical guidelines of China. However, these guidelines are found to be full of uncertainties in practical use. To evaluate its effectiveness, ten boreholes were drilled within an area contaminated by benzene in a decommissioned site, and 63 paired soil and soil gas samples were collected and analyzed following the technical guidelines. The results revealed that benzene profiles in the soil were similar, as revealed by both the soil and soil gas analyses. The benzene content in 35% of soil gas samples was above the screening level of 1.242mg/m3, and it was distributed in all the ten boreholes. The maximum concentration was nearly 1000 times the screening value. However, in only 5% of soil samples, benzene content was above the soil screening value of 1mg/kg, and the maximum concentration was about 30 times the screening value. Therefore, it can be concluded that analyzing the bulk soil may underestimate the VOC contamination in sites, especially for sites composed of sandy formations. The risk quantified based on soil contents using the linear partition equation was about one order of magnitude higher than that estimated based on measured soil gas concentration. The reason is that the partition of VOCs among soil solid, water, and vapor phases does not follow the linear equilibrium partition exactly due to the aging and sequestration of contaminants by organic matter in the soil. The vapor concentration is highly overestimated using the linear equilibrium equation. Additionally, risk can be overestimated by over two orders of magnitude without considering biodegradation throughout the intrusion process for VOCs (e.g., BTEX) that can be degraded. The results may be entirely different. Therefore, systematic research on VOC contamination and risk characterization, as well as relevant technical guidelines based on soil gas, is suggested to be initiated.
郝辰宇, 钟茂生, 姜林, 李吉鸿, 马琳, 汪洋. 基于土壤气的场地VOCs污染刻画及风险评估[J]. 中国环境科学, 2023, 43(11): 5700-5708.
HAO Chen-yu, ZHONG Mao-sheng, JIANG Lin, LI Ji-hong, MA Lin, WANG Yang. Characterization and vapor intrusion risk assessment of VOCs in contaminated sites based on soil gas. CHINA ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCECE, 2023, 43(11): 5700-5708.
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