Abstract

Clay minerals present within the groundwater aquifers is found to influence the migration of hazardous solutes like radionuclides and petroleum hydrocarbons. The presence of clay minerals within the aquifers is observed to either enhance or retard the movement of contaminants within the aquifer. The influence of these clay minerals on the contaminant migration depends upon the hydrologic conditions existing within the aquifer, nature of contaminants, kind of clay minerals, etc. Previous research studies have illustrated the significance of clay minerals on the migration of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC) within the aquifers. Sorption of petroleum hydrocarbons on aquifer grains and colloid particles is a significant factor in deciding the mitigation rate of hydrocarbons. The primary objective of the present study is to numerically investigate the clay-associated transport of petroleum hydrocarbons within a saturated aquifer. The current modeling algorithm can be adapted to model the colloid-facilitated transport of other multicomponent contaminants within the fracture. The modeling algorithm is solved using a C++ program. In the present paper, simulation results for the concentration distribution of clay mineral and PHC within the aquifer are presented. Sensitivity of clay attachment and detachment rates on the concentration distribution of PHC and clay minerals are also analyzed.

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