Project context:
An increase in air traffic and a changing climate have led to an increase in the use of de-icing chemicals at Oslo Airport to keep aircraft and the runway system free of ice and snow. During the winter seasons of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019, almost twice as many de-icing chemicals were used at Oslo Airport as in previous years. While the use of de-icing chemicals was reduced in 2020-2022 due to less air traffic during the Covid-19 pandemic, the airport experienced its third highest use of de-icing chemicals in the winter of 2023/2024, and we expect an increase in the coming years based on traffic forecasts and climate models.
Some of the de-icing chemicals end up on the green areas along the runways, where they can percolate through the soil and potentially contaminate groundwater. Experience over the past 25 years has shown that it is difficult to meet the water quality standards set by the Norwegian Environment Agency (Miljødirektoratet). Regular monitoring of monitoring wells indicates that the general groundwater chemistry is affected in some areas.
There is a need for more knowledge about the state and vulnerability of the Gardermoen aquifer from the use of de-icing chemicals. Oslo Airport has therefore initiated a project called Groundwater 2030 (GV2030).
The main objective of the project is to investigate whether the current and future use of de-icing chemicals is compatible with the environmental goals for this groundwater resource, and what measures may need to be taken to achieve these goals. Through this project, we aim to investigate the possibility of implementing or developing methods and technologies that can help to minimise and possibly reverse the environmental impact of de-icing chemicals on groundwater.
Scope of the Master's thesis:
This master's thesis aims to investigate the remedial effect of air sparging at Oslo Airport. In 2016, Oslo Airport installed 65 injection wells along the western runway to increase the degradation rate of de-icing chemicals in the green areas along the runway. This Master's thesis will focus on the effect of the injection wells in both the saturated and unsaturated zones.
The project will include field work at Oslo Airport. To analyse the effect of the injection wells in the saturated zone, it is proposed to install earth spikes near the injection wells to investigate oxygen and other pore gas components in the unsaturated zone. Dissolved oxygen and other water quality parameters in the groundwater can be determined by monitoring wells located near the injection wells. Based on these results and the possibility of further laboratory work, an assessment of the redox conditions should be made, which is crucial for maintaining a sufficiently high degradation rate.
Fieldwork will most likely take place at night due to the proximity of the injection wells to the runway. Fieldwork will ideally take place over 1-3 nights in June 2025. The possibility and timing of additional fieldwork can be further discussed and coordinated with consultants.
Candidate background:
- A strong background in geochemistry and/or hydrogeology is preferred.
- Most background documents relating to previous work at Oslo Airport are in Norwegian. Being able to read Norwegian is an advantage but not a requirement.
