Behavior of dense immiscible solvents in fractured clay-rich soils. Technical progress report, 1997
'The overall goal of the research program is to develop a better understanding of the physical and chemical factors and processes influencing fate and transport of immiscible and dissolved-phase dense solvents in groundwater in fractured, highly weathered clays and shales. These widespread materials are much different, physically and chemically, from granular soils or fractured low porosity rocks, which are the media used for most previous investigations of solvent behavior. The investigations are needed to provide a basic scientific framework for assessment of solvent transport and remediation in fractured clay-rich deposits. Specific experimental objectives include: (1) Determine the nature and distribution of porosity in these materials, and its influence on pressure-saturation behavior for immiscible solvents. This includes determining values for entry pressure, residual saturation, fracture aperture and matrix pore size distribution, as well as assessment of methodologies for measuring/characterizing these parameters. (2) Determine the influence of dissolution, sorption and diffusion into the matrix on long term disappearance of residual solvents in the fractured materials. (3) Assessment of the potential for natural attenuation of common solvents, especially TCE, in these deposits. This includes investigating the natural geochemistry and microbiology of the deposits, and assessing biologically-mediated degradation of solvents in the laboratory and at existing contaminated field sites.'
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Tennessee, Dept. of Geological Sciences, Knoxville, TN (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM), Office of Science and Risk Policy
- OSTI ID:
- 13612
- Report Number(s):
- EMSP-55083-97; ON: DE00013612
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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