Distribution of Gas Hydrocarbons above the Surface
of Contaminated Ground Water in the Aeration Zone

V. M. Gol’dberg

Institute of Geoecology, Russian Academy of Sciences

Received November 15, 1996

Abstract—The two-stage formation of a gas blanket in the aeration zone due to hydrocarbon contamination of
ground water is examined. During the first stage, the lightest hydrocarbon molecules pass from a liquid to a
gaseous state and mix with the air in the aeration zone. During the second stage, these hydrocarbon gas mole-
cules move both upward to the ground surface (in the direction of their decreasing concentration) and laterally
(following the diffusion mechanism). The hydrocarbon molecules follow two propagation schemes: (1) in the
aeration zone and (2) in the aeration zone and in the air layer immediately above the ground. Analytical depen-
dences describing the vertical diffusive transport of the molecules from the ground surface through the near-
ground air are given. An approximate analysis based on stationary distribution is performed for a specific area
in the city of Cherepovets.