non-aqueous phase liquids (napls) in the subsoil of ... · and the decontamination of polluted...

TECO ProjectTechnological Eco-Innovations for the Quality Control and the Decontamination of Polluted Waters and Soils

TECO Mobility GrantTitle of the project: A new method based on soil radon

measurements to trace the presence of contaminants such as Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (NAPLs) in the subsoil of polluted sites

in proximity of Kharagpur City, West Bengal, India.

Tel: +39 06 9067 2741E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.indoitalianresearch.eu

Beneficiary of the grant: Dr. Mauro CastelluccioHome Institution/Company (EU): Roma Tre University, Dep. SciencesHost Institution/Company (INDIA): Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Dept. of Geology and GeophysicsPeriod of the stay in India: 22/02/2016 – 06/04/2016




Objective of the Project• Using soil radon measurements to trace the presence of Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (NAPLs), shape and extension of the contaminated areas. The radon is a natural gas, everywhere available, it shows a very good solubility in a wide range of NAPLs. Radon available in the soil pores accumulates in the NAPL producing a local decrease of its concentration in the vicinity of the contaminated soil volume. The radon-deficit technique represents a low cost methodology, simple and without environmental impact.

• Performing a pilot-study to promote the progression and the employment of an innovative methodology, stimulating the interest of academic institutes and private companies in order to promote a public-private joint effort about the issue of pollution in India.

• Dissemination of the new methodology and the collected data through conferences and scientific publications.




Activities carried out during the period of the grant• 160 measurements of soil radon (depth from 0.4 to 0.9 m below ground level) were performed, in addition to lab analysis of six soil samples (volumetric water content computation and grain size distribution analysis) and geophysical surveys.

• Simulation of NAPL contamination by point injection of a little amount of petrol (two liters, under controlled conditions) at the depth of about one meter from the ground (ambient surface) with related measurements of soil radon.

• Analysis of an abandoned hydrocarbon reservoir (last activity about five years ago), covering an area of 30 m2 where reservoir and supplying were placed.

• Measurement campaigns of soil radon (grid of 5 x 5 m) and correlated parameters in the vicinity of two working hydrocarbon reservoir, covering a total area of about 5000 m2. Comparison with field data in the surrounding areas with similar geological context, to characterize the background condition (radon level of the uncontaminated area).




Main Outcomes• The petrol spill test gave a confirmation of the validity of the radon-deficit technique to investigate the NAPLs contamination of the subsoil and it showed a temporal variation of the radon deficit if the contaminant source stops.

• At the abandoned hydrocarbon reservoir two measurement showed a substantial reduction in soil radon indicating a possible presence of a residual contamination.

• About the two working hydrocarbon reservoirs soil radon showed a characteristic trend with low values in the vicinity of the reservoir (reduction up to 88% indicating high risk of contamination) and higher values gradually moving from it. Through a suitable geostatistic elaboration, two mappings allowed to delineate a path of the contaminant and trace the zones with the highest possibility of contamination.

• A training activity was carried out with students and young researchers, in order to show and spread the new methodology.

non-aqueous phase liquids (napls) in the subsoil of ... · and the decontamination of polluted...

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