An analytical solution for contaminant extraction from multilayered soil using PVD-enhanced system

Abstract

Prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) have been employed to enhance the in situ remediation of contaminated fine-grained soils. Subsurface heterogeneity can interfere with the distribution and extraction of contaminants during the remediation process. In the present study, an analytical solution for contaminant extraction from multilayered soil using a PVD-enhanced system is developed based on an equivalent planar two-dimensional model. The analytical solution is derived using a procedure that combines the Laplace transform, eigenfunction method and numerical Laplace inversion. The validity and accuracy of the solution are verified by comparison with an existing analytical solution and the results obtained using a numerical model. The effects of several key parameters on the performance of a PVD remediation system in a triple-layered contaminated soil are evaluated. The results indicate that the remediation efficiency for clay layers decreases with increasing hydraulic conductivity or thickness of the sand layer. The PVD remediation system may be unfeasible for contaminated sites with high subsurface heterogeneity caused by permeability contrast. The remediation process for clay layers can be accelerated by increasing the clay vertical dispersivity.