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LIGHT NONAQUEOUS PHASE LIQUIDS
Citation:
Newell, C. J., S. D. Acree*, R R. Ross*, AND S G. Huling*. LIGHT NONAQUEOUS PHASE LIQUIDS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/540/S-95/500 (NTIS 95-267738), 1995.
Impact/Purpose:
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Description:
Nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLS) are hydrocarbons that exist as a separate, immiscible phase when in contact with water and/or air. ifferences in the physical and chemical properties of water and NAPL result in the formation of a physical interface between the liquids which prevents the two fluids from mixing. onaqueous phase liquids are typically classified as either light nonaqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) which have densities less than that of water, or dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) which have densities greater than that of water. revious paper developed by the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory reviews processes and management issues pertaining to DNAPLs (Huling and Weaver, 1991). ight nonaqueous phase liquids affect ground-water quality at many sites across the country. he most common LNAPL-related ground-water contamination problems result from the release of petroleum products. hese products are typically multicomponent organic mixtures composed of chemicals with varying degrees of water solubility. ome additives (e.g. methyl tertiary-butyl ether and alcohols) are highly soluble. ther components (e.g. benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) are slightly soluble. any components (e.g. n-dodecane and n-heptane) have relatively low water solubility under ideal conditions. hysical and chemical properties which affect transport and fate of selected LNAPL compounds and refined petroleum products are presented in Table 1. n general, LNAPLs represent potential long-term sources for continued groundwater contamination at many sites.