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Environmental Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

2012

Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment

Air Force Institute of Technology

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Full-Text Articles in Environmental Sciences

Modeling The Impact Of Cracking In Low Permeability Layers In A Groundwater Contamination Source Zone On Dissolved Contamination Source Zone On Dissolved Contaminant Fate And Transport, Katherine W. Sievers Mar 2012

Modeling The Impact Of Cracking In Low Permeability Layers In A Groundwater Contamination Source Zone On Dissolved Contamination Source Zone On Dissolved Contaminant Fate And Transport, Katherine W. Sievers

Theses and Dissertations

The storage and transport of a dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) was evaluated using a numerical model. Many DNAPLs are used as solvents by the DoD and industry. The improper disposal and handling of these chemicals has led to long term contamination of groundwater. When spilled, a DNAPL will pool atop low permeability layers and slowly dissolve creating a contaminant plume. The dissolved contaminant within a low permeability layer serves as long-term sources of contamination once the source is removed. In this study, cracks are hypothesized to exist in the low permeability layers, allowing for enhanced transport. A numerical model …