study for evaluation of contaminant transport characteristics through fine-grained soil

• Published in: Water environment research Vol. 78; no. 11; pp. 2261 - 2267
• Main Authors: Kumar, Sunil, Mukherjee, S. N., Ghosh, S., Ray, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Alexandria, VA Water Environment Federation 01.10.2006; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Acid soils; Applied sciences; ash pond; Ashes; attenuation; Biodegradation; Compacted soils; decay mechanism; dielectric properties; dispersive; Environmental Monitoring - instrumentation; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental Pollution - analysis; Exact sciences and technology; fine‐grained soil; fly ash; Groundwaters; Hazardous substances; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; leachate; Leaching; mathematical models; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Models, Theoretical; Natural water pollution; Nickel; Nickel - analysis; nickel migration; permeability; pollutants; Pollution; Ponds; Research Papers; Soil - analysis; soil pH; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil pollution; Soil samples; soil transport processes; Soil water; Soils; Surface areas; Transportation; Urban and domestic wastes; Waste disposal; Wastes; Water Pollutants - analysis; Water treatment and pollution; India; India, West Bengal; Process dynamics; Thermal power plant; Migration; Urban waste; Porous medium; Property of soil; Metal ion; Permeability; Modeling; Dispersion; Aquifers; Transport process; Pollution; Ash; Solid waste; pH; Laboratory test; Kinetic parameter; Surface area; Diffusion; Leachate; Ground water
• ISSN: 1061-4303; 1554-7531
• DOI: 10.2175/106143005X78645

Transport of soluble toxic substances through porous media lead to some significant geoenvironmental problems, for example, leachate migration from municipal and industrial solid waste resulting from unregulated disposal. Advection, dispersion, diffusion, and decay are reported to be the principal mechanisms in such phenomena. Geotechnical properties of the soil also play a significant role in this deterioration. In the present study, laboratory tests were conducted to formulate an appropriate method for assessment of migration of metal ions, such as nickel, through the soil. Relevant kinetic and process parameters, such as aquifer data, surface area, dielectric constant, pH of zero point charge $({\rm pH}_{{\rm zpc}})$ , and permeability were also studied. One-dimensional mathematical modeling was used to describe the dynamics of the process. The present investigation was carried out at an ash pond site of a thermal power plant situated in West Bengal, India.