Journal article
The influence of vadose zone conditions in groundwater pollution: Part II: Fluid movement
Journal of hazardous materials, v 9(2), pp 181-207
1984
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
This is the concluding portion of a two-part review illustrating the influence of the vadose zone (i.e., soil materials located above a water table) on groundwater pollution. Seepage from landfills, lagoons, storage areas and land treatment sites invariably must pass through this region before entering an aquifer. In general, contaminant concentrations are highest near the source. Much of this zone is unsaturated, so that leachate and wastewater may have access to oxygen and be in close contact with solid particle surfaces. Consequently, conditions in the vadose zone affect both the seepage rate and the environment for attenuation of contaminant species.
The focus of this paper is on the application of Darcy's formula to describe the flow of water, leachate and other fluids under both saturated and unsaturated conditions. The discussion is presented in a state-of-the-art format. Individual topics include the material properties that influence flow and the relationship between seepage rate, fluid pressure and the degree of saturation.
To illustrate these concepts, five generalized examples are presented. They describe a wide range of practical situations, including:
• steady vertical seepage
• flow in the vadose zone parallel to a water table
• development of groundwater mounds under liquid filled impoundments
• wetting front advance through homogeneous soil
• wetting front advance under lined impoundments These examples, and the principles from which they are derived, can be used both in analysis of existing situations and in design and operation of new facilities.
This paper is a companion to one previously published which discussed static conditions in the vadose zone.
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Details
- Title
- The influence of vadose zone conditions in groundwater pollution: Part II: Fluid movement
- Creators
- Joseph P. Martin - Drexel UniversityRobert M. Koerner - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Journal of hazardous materials, v 9(2), pp 181-207
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering; [Retired Faculty]
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:A1984TH78200004
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-0021478961
- Other Identifier
- 991019173679404721
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- Web of Science research areas
- Engineering, Environmental
- Environmental Sciences