Smart barrier design for groundwater remediation

F. . Francisca, D.A. Glatstein, M.E. Carro Pérez

In the proceedings of: GEO2011: 64th Canadian Geotechnical Conference, 14th Pan-American Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 5th Pan-American Conference on Teaching and Learning of Geotechnical Engineering

Session: Geoenvironmental Engineering

ABSTRACT: Contaminant transport in non-reactive porous media depends on soil and pore fluid properties. In the case of fine soils, chemical reactions, electrostatic interactions and biomediated reactions can modify the physical properties of the porous media. This work evaluates mass transport through reactive barriers, showing the relative importance of particle-fluid interactions and microorganism growth on contaminants displacement. Compacted soils samples were tested with arsenic solutions and landfill leachate as permeating liquids. The addition of clay decreased the hydraulic conductivity and delayed the contaminant displacement due to electrostatic attraction between the charged soil particles and counter ions. Microorganisms were responsible for pore clogging due to the increase of biomass with permeation time. These two effects were simultaneously considered by implementing a 1D-mass transport equation to simulate the behaviour of reactive barriers. Obtained resultof contaminated groundwater.

RESUMEN: El transporte de contaminantes en un medio inerte depende de las propiedades del suelo y del fluido intersticial. Este trabajo cuantifica variables que controlan el transporte de masa através de barreras reactivas, mostrando la importancia relativa de las interacciones fluído-partícula y el crecimiento de microorganismos en el desplazamiento de contaminantes. Se analizaron muestras de suelos compactados, permeadas con una solución de arsénico y lixiviado de un relleno sanitario. El agregado de arcillas disminuyó la conductividad hidráulica y retardó el desplazamiento de contaminantes, debido a la atracción electrostática entre las partículas cargadas del suelo y los iones de intercambio. Los microorganismos fueron responsables de la oclusión de los poros, debido al incremento de la biomasa con el tiempo. Estos dos efectos fueron considerados simultáneamente implementando un modelo de transporte 1D para simular el comportamiento de las barreras reactivas. Los resultados obtenidos son de fundamental importancia para el de sitios contaminados.

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