Free LNAPL Volume Estimation by Pancake Model and Vertical Equilibrium Model: Comparison of Results, Limitations, and Critical Points

Light nonaqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs), due to their low solubility, dissolve slowly, acting as a long-term source of water contamination, and consequently they represent an important environmental issue. In the subsoil, more than 99% of spilled LNAPL remains as adsorbed and free phase; therefore, the volume estimation of free phase, obtained in this case through two different conceptual models (Pancake Model and Vertical Equilibrium Model), is considered a fundamental step for a correct site remediation. According to the first model, the LNAPL floating on the water table and its saturation is up to 100%; instead, according to the second one, the LNAPL can penetrate below the water table and the coexistence of LNAPL, water, and air in the pore fraction, leads to a lower LNAPL saturation, variable with the depth. Actually, in subsoil LNAPL and water saturations vary with depth due to the influence of capillarity, leading to the inaccuracy of Pancake Model assumption. Despite the evident limitation of Pancake Model, both models were applied, coupled with area calculations with Thiessen polygons and grid at regular mesh, to roughly estimate the free LNAPL volume existing in a contaminated site. The volume estimation carried out, considering the LNAPL type and its features, the soil type, and relative effective porosity, provides estimates of volumes having differences up to thousands of cubic meters. The results analysis shows that this estimation has several critical points such as area definition and the lack of site-specific data (e.g., porosity). Indeed, the sensitivity analysis for porosity shows that a reduction of this parameter provides a 20% reduction of estimated volume.