Dissolution and transport of coal tar compounds in fractured clay-rich residuum

Vijay M. Vulava, Larry D. McKay, Mette Martina Broholm, John F. McCarthy, Steven G. Driese, Gary S. Sayler

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    We investigated the dissolution and transport of organic contaminants from a crude coal tar mixture in a monolith of fractured clay-rich residuum. An electrolyte solution was eluted through the residuum monolith containing a small emplaced source of coal tar under biologically inhibited and mildly acidic conditions. Concentrations of 10 coal tar compounds, representing mono-, poly-, and heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that constitute crude coal tar were monitored in the effluent over a period of 377 days. Most compounds appeared in the effluent within the first 0.1 pore volume eluted indicating the importance of rapid dissolution and transport through the fracture networks. The concentrations continued to rise but did not reach the corresponding effective solubility limit in most cases. Compounds that were less soluble and those that were more susceptible to sorption or matrix diffusion eluted at a much slower rate. Analysis of contaminant concentrations in microcore residuum samples indicated that all 10 compounds had spread throughout the entire monolith and had diffused into the fine-grained matrix between fractures. These data suggest that the predominantly fine pore structure did not appear to inhibit coal tar dissolution and subsequent transport, even though only a small portion of tar was in direct contact with fractures and macropores that control most flow. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials
    Volume203-204
    Pages (from-to)283-289
    ISSN0304-3894
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2012

    Keywords

    • fractured clay-rich residuum
    • coal tar compound pollutant, soil pollutant, water pollutant transport, dissolution
    • DNAPL
    • electrolyte solution
    • heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutant, soil pollutant, water pollutant transport, dissolution
    • monoaromatic hydrocarbon pollutant, soil pollutant, water pollutant transport, dissolution
    • polyaromatic hydrocarbon pollutant, soil pollutant, water pollutant transport, dissolution
    • 37015, Public health - Air, water and soil pollution
    • Pollution Assessment Control and Management

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Dissolution and transport of coal tar compounds in fractured clay-rich residuum'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this