Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1021/es052583o
Title (Primary) Modeling the impact of a benzene source zone on the transport behavior of PAHs in groundwater
Author Russold, S.; Schirmer, M.; Piepenbrink, M.; Schirmer, K.
Source Titel Environmental Science & Technology
Year 2006
Department ZELLTOX; HDG
Volume 40
Issue 11
Page From 3565
Page To 3571
Language englisch
Abstract Aquifers at industrial sites are commonly characterized by a multitude of contaminant source zones. Conceivably, dissolved contaminants originating from an up-gradient residual nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) source zone may be transported along the groundwater flow path into another residual NAPL source zone down-gradient. However, if and how contaminants from different zones may affect one another with regard to dissolution and transport has thus far been unknown. To identify and understand such potential interactions, the numerical model BIONAPL3D was applied to simulate the behavior of six dissolved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), stemming simultaneously from an up-gradient NAPL source zone, when they encounter a down-gradient NAPL source zone. The down-gradient NAPL source zone was assumed to be a residual benzene phase with a saturation of 10%. When the dissolved PAHs entered the benzene source zone, the aqueous PAH concentrations declined significantly due to their partitioning into the residual benzene phase. As benzene rapidly dissolved into the aqueous phase, the PAHs were resolubilized with negligible impact due to benzene co-solvency. The degree of resolubilization was much smaller than the initial loss due to partitioning into the benzene phase. Thus, the PAHs formed a new residual NAPL phase that, over time, replaced the original benzene source zone. The new NAPL phase continued to grow even after all of the benzene was dissolved. Our modeling approach is the first theoretical demonstration of a significant interaction of contaminants emanating from multiple source zones. It should be regarded as a starting point to consider source zone interactions at polluted field sites.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=2974
Russold, S., Schirmer, M., Piepenbrink, M., Schirmer, K. (2006):
Modeling the impact of a benzene source zone on the transport behavior of PAHs in groundwater
Environ. Sci. Technol. 40 (11), 3565 - 3571 10.1021/es052583o