The Role of Atmospheric Conditions in CO₂ and Radon Emissions from an Abandoned Water Well

Boreholes and wells are complex boundary features at the earth-atmosphere interface, connecting the subsurface hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere to the atmosphere above it. It is important to understand and quantify the air exchange rate of these features and, consequently their contribution as sources for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to the atmosphere. Here, we investigate the effect of atmospheric conditions, namely atmospheric pressure and temperature, on air, CO₂, and radon transport across the borehole-ambient atmosphere interface and inside a 110-m deep by 1-m diameter borehole in northern Israel. Sensors to measure temperature, relative humidity, CO₂, and radon were placed throughout a cased borehole. A standard meteorological station was located above the borehole. Data were logged at a high 0.5-min resolution for 9 months. Results show that climatic driving forces initiated 2 different advective air transport mechanisms. (1) Diurnal and semidiurnal atmospheric pressure cycles controlled daily air transport events (barometric pumping); and (2) There was a correlation between borehole-atmosphere temperature differences and transport on a seasonal scale (thermal-induced convection). Barometric pumping was identified as yielding higher fluxes of vadose zone gases than thermal-induced convection. Air velocities inside the borehole and CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere were quantified, fluctuating from zero up to ~6 m/min and ~5 g-CO₂/min, respectively. This research revealed the mechanisms involved in the process throughout the year and the potential contribution role played by boreholes to GHG emissions.