Influence of soil moisture on soil gas vapor concentration for vapor intrusion

Rui Shen, Kelly G. Pennell, Eric M. Suuberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mathematical models have been widely used in analyzing the effects of various environmental factors in the vapor intrusion process. Soil moisture content is one of the key factors determining the subsurface vapor concentration profile. This manuscript considers the effects of soil moisture profiles on the soil gas vapor concentration away from any surface capping by buildings or pavement. The "open field" soil gas vapor concentration profile is observed to be sensitive to the soil moisture distribution. The van Genuchten relations can be used for describing the soil moisture retention curve, and give results consistent with the results from a previous experimental study. Other modeling methods that account for soil moisture are evaluated. These modeling results are also compared with the measured subsurface concentration profiles in the U.S. EPA vapor intrusion database.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)628-637
Number of pages10
JournalEnvironmental Engineering Science
Volume30
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2013

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)P42ES013660

    Keywords

    • modeling
    • soil gas vapor concentration
    • soil moisture
    • vapor intrusion

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Environmental Chemistry
    • Waste Management and Disposal
    • Pollution

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