Non-aqueous phase liquid

Non-aqueous phase liquids, or NAPLs, are organic liquid contaminants that do not dissolve in, or easily mix with, water (hydrophobic), like oil, gasoline and petroleum products.[1]

NAPLs tend to contaminate soil and groundwaters for very long period of time: they are persistent organic pollutants (POPs).[2][3] Many common groundwater contaminants such as chlorinated solvents and many petroleum products enter the subsurface in nonaqueous-phase solutions.[4] They do not mix readily with water and therefore flow separately from ground water.[5]

If the NAPL is denser than water, like trichloroethylene, it is called DNAPL (Dense NAPL) and will tend to sink once it reaches the water table. If it is lighter, like gasoline, it is called LNAPL (Light NAPL) and will tend to float on the water table. [6]

See also

Notes

  1. National Research Council, 1994
  2. Konečný F, Boháček Z, Müller P, Kovářová and M, Sedláčková (2003). "Contamination of soils and groundwater by petroleum hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds..." (PDF). Bulletin of Geosciences. 78 (3): 1214. Retrieved May 27, 2017.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. Huling, Scott and Weaver, James (1991). "Dense Nonaquieous Liquids" (PDF). Ground Water Issue. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved May 27, 2017.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. National Research Council, 1993
  5. National Research Council, 1997
  6. National Research Council, 1997

References

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