Displacement of nonwetting liquids from unsaturated sands by water infiltration

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998 · Ground Water

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.1998.tb02199.x· OSTI ID:655460

Boley, T M ^[1]; Overcamp, T J ^[2]

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1. Huntsman Chemical Corp., Peru, IL (United States)
2. Clemson Univ., Anderson, SC (United States). Dept. of Environmental Engineering and Science

Accidental spills of nonwetting or nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) onto land can lead to ground water contamination. Once a spill has occurred, liquid infiltrates downward under the influence of gravity. As the infiltration continues, capillary forces retain a portion of the immiscible liquid within the pore spaces. After infiltration ceases, the liquid remaining within the pores is termed the residual liquid, which is frequently expressed as a percentage of the total pore volume. The quantity of residual liquid retained depends on soil and liquid properties. Xylene was spilled onto moist glass beads or various moist sands and water was trickled onto the columns every eight hours for periods up to 10 days. The xylene residual in the columns with water infiltration decreased compared to those of control columns, indicating a downward displacement of xylene. The extent of displacement increased with increasing size of the porous media and with increasing amounts of water infiltration.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 655460
• Journal Information: Ground Water, Journal Name: Ground Water Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 36; ISSN GRWAAP; ISSN 0017-467X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GROUND WATER
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILLS
INTERSTITIAL WATER
WATER POLLUTION
XYLENES