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Analysis of institutional authors

Barrio-Parra, FernandoCorresponding AuthorSerrano-Garcia, HumbertoAuthorIzquierdo-Diaz, MiguelAuthorDe Miguel, EduardoAuthor

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December 10, 2025
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DNAPL Detection and Delineation with the Radon-Deficit Technique: Analysis of Applicability and Limitations with a Real Case-Study

Publicated to: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. 59 (49): 26796-26805 - 2025-12-16 59(49), DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5c13917

Authors:

Barrio-Parra, Fernando; Serrano-Garcia, Humberto; Luri, Miguel; Izquierdo-Diaz, Miguel; De Miguel, Eduardo
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Affiliations

- Author
Prospección y Medioambiente. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Prospecting & Environm Lab PROMEDIAM, Madrid 28003, Spain - Author
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Abstract

This study investigates the application of the radon-deficit technique as a real-time screening tool for detecting and delineating Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (DNAPLs) at a creosote-contaminated site. Traditional site characterization methods often fail to capture the spatial complexity of subsurface contamination. The radon-deficit method makes use of radon gas's preferential partitioning into DNAPL phases to identify contamination zones. A field study involving 558 measurements of 222Rn in soil gas conducted during two years at a former railroad tie treatment facility validated the technique's effectiveness, revealing previously undetected DNAPL accumulations beyond an impermeable barrier that was supposed to be containing the DNAPL accumulation. Subsequent campaigns demonstrated its predictive value for guiding monitoring well placement. Laboratory and modeling studies further clarified radon transport dynamics, suggesting that specific boundary conditions, such as deep geological radon sources, significantly influence the spatial range of applicability of the radon-deficit technique. These findings highlight the technique's effectiveness in refining sampling strategies and enhancing the understanding of DNAPL migration patterns in complex subsurface environments.
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Keywords

CarrierContamination mappingCreosoteDnaplExhalationNapl contaminationNonaqueous phase liquidPartitionRn-222ScreeningSite characterizationSoil-gasTracerZone

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 19/376, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Environmental Sciences. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-25:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 1 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/94355/

As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

  • Views: 17
  • Downloads: 5
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Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (BARRIO PARRA, FERNANDO) and Last Author (MIGUEL GARCIA, EDUARDO DE).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been BARRIO PARRA, FERNANDO.

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Project objectives

La aportación persigue los siguientes objetivos: analizar la aplicabilidad de la técnica del déficit de radón para la detección y delimitación en tiempo real de líquidos densos no acuosos (DNAPL) en un sitio contaminado; evaluar la efectividad del método mediante un estudio de campo con 558 mediciones de 222Rn durante dos años; determinar la capacidad predictiva de la técnica para orientar la ubicación de pozos de monitoreo; caracterizar la dinámica del transporte de radón mediante estudios de laboratorio y modelización; y examinar la influencia de condiciones límite específicas, como fuentes geológicas profundas de radón, en el rango espacial de aplicabilidad de la técnica.
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Most relevant results

El estudio presenta una evaluación detallada de la técnica del déficit de radón para la detección y delimitación de líquidos densos no acuosos (DNAPL) en un sitio contaminado con creosota. Los resultados más relevantes son: (1) se realizaron 558 mediciones de 222Rn en gas del suelo durante dos años en una antigua instalación de tratamiento de durmientes ferroviarios; (2) la técnica permitió identificar acumulaciones de DNAPL no detectadas previamente, incluso más allá de una barrera impermeable; (3) campañas posteriores confirmaron su valor predictivo para la ubicación de pozos de monitoreo; (4) estudios de laboratorio y modelado indicaron que fuentes profundas de radón afectan significativamente el rango espacial de aplicación de la técnica; (5) estos hallazgos mejoran las estrategias de muestreo y la comprensión de la migración de DNAPL.
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Awards linked to the item

This study was financed through the CARESOIL-CM [TEC-2024/ECO-69] research programme of the Regional Government of Madrid (Comunidad de Madrid - Spain) and the Multiannual Agreement 2023-2026 with Universidad Politecnica de Madrid in the Line A, Emerging Ph.D researchers ML-TRACER grant [DOCTORES-EMERGENTES-24-71H88I-60-POKTT9] (Comunidad de Madrid - Spain).
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Contextual narrative

Trabajo desarrollado en el marco de los proyectos CARESOIL-CM [TEC-2024/ECO-69] y ML-TRACER [DOCTORES-EMERGENTES-24-71H88I-60-POKTT9] (Comunidad de Madrid - Spain)

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