Controls on subsurface transport of sorbing contaminant

作者：Ameli Ali A^*

来源：Hydrology Research: An International Journal , 2017, 48(5): 1226-1239.

DOI：10.2166/nh.2016.170

• exponential decline in saturated hydraulic conductivity with soil depth
• kinetic sorption
• non-point source sorbing contaminants
• non-uniform random walk particle tracking
• saturated-unsaturated flow and reactive transport
• till-mantled environment

Subsurface transport of a sorbing contaminant is poorly understood and characterized. Here, a new semi-analytical saturated-unsaturated flow and transport model is coupled to a kinetic sorption algorithm to assess the impact of changes in the subsurface permeability architecture and flow rate on sorption characteristics. The model outputs reveal the pronounced effect of the rate of vertical decline in K-s on the frequency of occurrence and spatial distribution of subsurface sorption as well as the timing and rate of sorbing contaminants discharged into stream. Sorption potential is weakened with infiltration rate. The impact of infiltration rate on the decline in sorption potential becomes more accentuated as the degree of subsurface vertical heterogeneity in saturated hydraulic conductivity increases. Porosity pattern also impacts sorption characteristics; but its effects highly depend upon the degree of vertical heterogeneity in Ks. The results and methodology presented in this paper have potential implications for assessing water quality in integrated groundwater-surface water systems as well as designing remediation systems.

• 出版日期2017-10
• 单位Saskatchewan; Saskatoon