Estimating the Soil-Water Retention Curve of Arsenic-Contaminated Soil by Fitting Fuentes’ Model and Their Comparison with the Filter Paper Method

Abstract

Arsenic is a metalloid frequently found in contaminated sites, especially in the soil. In this regard, soil contamination has attracted researchers’ attention because it affects soil suction, which is essential in unsaturated soil mechanics. Due to its reliability and low cost, the filter paper method is frequently used to evaluate soil suction. However, it is laborious and time consuming. As an alternative, different mathematical models have been developed to estimate natural soil’s suction. The objective of this study was to elucidate if Fuentes’ model (using fractal, Mualem, and Burdine restrictions) can be used to estimate the soil-water retention curve of an arsenic-contaminated soil by comparing it with the filter paper method data already reported. The results showed that under natural conditions, Fuentes’ model provided similar results to those obtained by the filter paper method. The model also suggested modification of the soil’s structure, observed by the increase in the soil’s particle diameter after contamination. However, Fuentes’ model was observed to overestimate the suction values for contaminated soils. This observation highlights the necessity to use a soil stabilization method to control the soil’s volume variations. The data also showed that Fuentes’ model overestimated the hydraulic conductivity function of the contaminated soil. Hence, the retention potential does not reflect the behavior of the contaminated soils and can induce misinterpretation of contaminant transport evaluation in soil. Nevertheless, further analyses should be performed to investigate the direct applicability of this model to soils contaminated with other substances.