Abstract
In this study, the changes in relevant hydraulic parameters (namely hydraulic conductivity, total and effective porosity, specific retention, and longitudinal dispersivity) induced by the introduction of graphene in a calcareous sandy soil and a siliciclastic riverine soil were monitored and modelled via leaching column experiments. Constant pressure head tests were used to calculate the hydraulic conductivity of each column, while leaching experiments were run to estimate total porosity and specific retention, and for each treatment three replicates were done. Columns were then run under saturated conditions via a low flow peristaltic pump and monitored for chloride concentrations. CXTFIT 2.0 was employed to inversely model the column experiments and retrieve effective porosity and longitudinal dispersivity. Results highlighted small changes of hydraulic conductivity and porosity, induced by graphene addition for both soils. A marked increase of specific retention values was instead recorded in the amended columns respect to control ones. Chloride breakthrough curves modelling showed that graphene doubled dispersivity in the calcareous sandy soil compared to the control, while it halved dispersivity in the siliciclastic riverine soil with respect to the control. The results highlight that graphene induces positive shift in the capacity of sandy soil to retain porewater but at the same time it also alters solute transport parameters, like dispersivity, suggesting that further studies need to focus on using several exposure concentrations, durations and mode of exposure, and apply simulated field conditions or perform experiments in real field conditions, to understand the fate of unwanted compound in soils amended with graphene.
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Acque Sotterranee - Italian Journal of Groundwater
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
