Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a sediment bed passive flux meter (SBPFM) and associated methods. In one embodiment, an SBPFM is provided. The SBPFM comprises a casing. The casing comprises an intake portion, an exhaust portion, and an intermediate portion between the intake and exhaust portions. The SBPFM further comprises a permeable sock positioned within the intermediate portion of the casing and a sorptive matrix positioned within the sock. The sorptive matrix is impregnated with one or more tracers. The SBPFM is configured to passively intercept, but not retain, groundwater flow passing through the SBPFM from the intake portion to the exhaust portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a sediment bed passive flux meter (SBPFM) and associated methods. In one embodiment, an SBPFM is provided. The SBPFM comprises a casing. The casing comprises an intake portion, an exhaust portion, and an intermediate portion between the intake and exhaust portions. The SBPFM further comprises a permeable sock positioned within the intermediate portion of the casing and a sorptive matrix positioned within the sock. The sorptive matrix is impregnated with one or more tracers. The SBPFM is configured to passively intercept, but not retain, groundwater flow passing through the SBPFM from the intake portion to the exhaust portion.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for simultaneously monitoring the magnitudes and directions of fluid fluxes and dissolved contaminants fluxes of a general flow system in both simply and multiply screened monitoring wells as well as unscreened boreholes is provided. Also, parameters such as fracture locations, separations, inclinations, orientations of inclination and apertures in a fracture flow system can be estimated. The invention comprises the use of a sorbent layer containing an insoluble sorbent matrix that retains dissolved contaminants, which is attached to an impermeable flexible liner. The matrix may also contain visible or invisible tracers that can be displaced by the fluid flow. The monitoring comprises placing devices in contact with the contaminated flow over certain intervals, thereby allowing contaminants to be sorbed to the sorbing matrix of the layer. Sufficient time is allowed for the contaminant concentrations in the flow field to reach equilibrium.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for simultaneously monitoring the fluid flux and the target chemical mass fluxes in fluid flow systems is provided comprising the use of a body or shell that is inserted into the flow field. Inside or outside this body is a bundle of one or more permeable sorptive columns. The extremes of each column are hydraulically connected to the outside flow field around the body of the device through a pair of small openings in the body. The known non-uniform flow velocity distribution around the body of the invention causes a pressure difference between pairs of openings used to connect internal or external column units. A preferred shape of the body is a hydrofoil. Alternatively, instantaneous measurement of the fluid flux and contaminant composition is possible using pressure transducers and a chemical sensor.