Joe Rossabi , Principal Investigator, WSRC
Video 3.2 (:52)

Task Description

The objective of the technology is to use the naturally induced pres-
sure gradients between the surface and subsurface to create a flow path of contaminant laden air from

the subsurface air in the vadose zone to the surface (Video 3.2).

Barometric pumping is a subsur-
face technology that exploits the difference in air pressure between the surface and subsurface. If the two zones are connected by a well, air flow results. If the subsur-
face contains a volatile contami-
nant, this contaminant will be transported with the air flow to the surface. Since the driving force of this removal process (barometric pressure fluctuations) is provided naturally, the technology is inher-
ently inexpensive. The key to this technology is to leverage the natu-
ral force to remediate contaminat-
ed areas by understanding the pressure relations between the surface and subsurface at a given site (Figure 3.2).