The fate of DNAPL contaminants in non-consolidated subsurface systems - Discussion on the relevance of effective source zone geometries for plume propagation

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

卷:375

Review

Engelmann, Christian^1,2  Haendel, Falk^1,3  Binder, Martin^1,2  Yadav, Prabhas Kumar^1,4  Dietrich, Peter^3,5  Liedl, Rudolf¹  Walther, Marc^1,2 

[1] Tech Univ Dresden, Inst Groundwater Management, Dept Environm Sci, Bergstr 66, D-01062 Dresden, Germany

[2] UFZ Helmholtz Ctr Environm Res, Dept Environm Informat, Permoserstr 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany

[3] UFZ Helmholtz Ctr Environm Res, Dept Monitoring & Explorat Technol, Permoserstr 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany

[4] Manipal Univ Jaipur, Sch Civil & Chem Engn, Dept Civil Engn, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

[5] Univ Tubingen, Ctr Appl Geosci, Sigwartstr 10, D-72076 Tubingen, Germany

关键词: DNAPL;    Effective source zone geometry;    Plume length estimation;    Contaminant hydrology;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.04.083

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Dense non-aqueous phase liquids, i.e., DNAPLs and the evolving contaminant plumes in aquifers provide significant potential to pose hazards affecting both environment and human health. Therefore, a proper assessment of contaminant spreading within the subsurface is critical. This includes a sufficient characterization of governing parameters describing both the subsurface and the contaminant itself. Thereby, knowledge on the contaminant source zone and especially the source zone geometry, i.e., SZG is critically required, yet very uncertain. This study identifies current limitations and open research questions in the formation and shape determination of source zone geometry, as well as its relevance for contaminant plumes. Our literature review reveals that existing characterization methods are subject to data interpretation uncertainties, while the application of these methods on field scale is limited by technical demands and accompanied efforts. In a next step, methods to implement increased source zone information into calculation methods are discussed. By means of an exemplary application of selected assessment tools, i.e., plume response models, results clearly proof the relevance of SZGs for site assessment. However, existing plume response models consider over-simplified geometries that may compromise their suitability. Our findings identify the demand for improved characterization of complex SZGs and the need to better evaluate the dependency of DNAPL migration on system properties and external influences. With emphasized knowledge on the most relevant SZG features, the delineation of effective SZGs allowing for straightforward implementation into plume response models and an adaption of the latter to incorporate more information on SZGs should be possible.

【 授权许可】

Free