TR(BR)-150 : Transport of pollutants under different soil media part -I

Abstract

The information regarding pollutant transport in the subsurface environment is vital requirement for successful ground water management. The various aspects regarding the contaminants are whether it move with the water phase through the saturated or unsaturated zone, or it is adsorbed on to the subsurface material or is subjected to chemical reactions or biological degradation. This information is important in pollutant transport evaluation and assessment of potential remedial measures.

The present report illustrates the importance of pollutant migration through different soil media by reviewing literature in the field of concern. Various concepts derived from the study of transport of conservative substances to the study of major mechanisms which influence particle transport in porous media have been discussed. Despite different mechanisms influencing transport in laboratory scale columns, one major influence on transport is the heterogeneity of the medium through which the particles are transported. It is inferred that the physical heterogeneity plays, a significant role in the transport and deposition of particles within the medium.

In the second part of the study variation of solute concentration will be observed for different media composition and for different depth. In both the experiments the time is also observed, which is useful to see the trend of solute flow with depth and media characteristics.