Abstract
Non-aqueous phase liquids are water immiscible organic liquids that are widely encountered in the environment. Exemplar NAPLs include chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents, petroleum products, and waste products such as coal tar. Real-world NAPLs are usually multi-component solution mixtures, and many of the components in NAPLs pose a major challenge to soil, air, and water quality. The purpose of this manuscript is to examine the key physico-chemical properties of NAPLs and how these affect the behaviour of NAPLs in the sub-surface environment.
Highlights
The term non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) is a generic term used to describe a class of organic liquid contaminants that are characterised by their immiscibility with water
An additional distinction is made on the basis of density. Those liquids with a density greater than that of water are referred to as dense NAPLs (DNAPLs) and those that are less dense than water are called light NAPLS (LNAPLs)
They are of environmental concern, because immiscible with water—mixtures of water and NAPL separate into two distinct phases—they are soluble in water, albeit to a very limited extent
Summary
The term non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) is a generic term used to describe a class of organic liquid contaminants that are characterised by their immiscibility with water. An additional distinction is made on the basis of density Those liquids with a density greater than that of water are referred to as dense NAPLs (DNAPLs) and those that are less dense than water are called light NAPLS (LNAPLs). They are of environmental concern, because immiscible with water—mixtures of water and NAPL separate into two distinct phases—they are soluble in water, albeit to a very limited extent. On the trailing edge of a migrating NAPL body, droplets of NAPL are detached and fill single or several contiguous
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