Retention and mobilization of residual DNAPL in fractured rock
- Queen`s Univ., Kingston, Ontario (Canada). Dept. of Civil Engineering
Groundwater contamination by dense, non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) is a common occurrence throughout industrialized areas of North America. At many sites, DNAPL has migrated through overburden deposits and down into fractured bedrock. Unfortunately, very little is known regarding the retention capacity of rock fractures for DNAPL, or the influence of groundwater pumping on the mobilization of DNAPL in fractures. In this laboratory study, tetrachloroethylene (PCE) was permitted to migrate through fractured limestone under controlled conditions. The PCE retention capacity was measured for a variety of initial capillary pressures and flow durations. Waterflooding was carried out at a variety of hydraulic gradients to measure the relationship between hydraulic gradient and amount of DNAPL mobilized. These results are summarized in the form of a capillary number to allow extension to other fractured environments. The results are applied to the Smithville site, located in Southern Ontario, to evaluate the influence of drilling activities, pump-testing, and remediation activities on the mobilization of DNAPL in bedrock.
- OSTI ID:
- 353678
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970677--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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