Migration and Entrapment of DNAPLs in Heterogeneous Systems: Impact of Waste and Porous Medium Composition

Previously funded EMSP research efforts were directed towards the quantification of dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) migration and entrapment behavior in physically and chemically heterogeneous systems. This research demonstrated that chemical heterogeneities can have a significant influence on DNAPL fate and persistence. Previous work, however, was limited to examination of the behavior of pure DNAPLs in systems with simple and well-defined aqueous and solid surface chemistry. The subsurface chemical environments at many DOE sites, however, are generally more complex than these idealized systems, due to the release of complex mixtures of wastes and more complex physical and chemical heterogeneity. The research undertaken in this project seeks to build upon our previous research experience and expertise to explore the influence of waste and porous media composition on DNAPL migration and entrapment in the saturated zone. DNAPL mixtures and soils typical of those found across the DOE complex are being used in these studies. Many of the experimental procedures and protocols used herein are based upon those developed under previous EMSP funding. This past work also provides the conceptual framework for characterizing and interpreting experimental results, mathematical model development, and inverse modeling protocols