Two-dimensional analytical solution for subsurface volatile organic compounds vapor diffusion from a point source in layered unsaturated zone

Abstract

Although migration of subsurface volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from contaminant sources in unsaturated soil widely exists, the related analytical models are quite limited. A two-dimensional analytical solution is hence developed to simulate vapor diffusion from the subsurface contaminant source in the layered unsaturated zone. The contaminant source is simplified as a point source leaking at a constant rate. The influences of several important factors, including thickness of stagnant air layer, depth of groundwater table, source characteristics and soil layering characteristics, on vapor migration in subsurface soil are comprehensively investigated by the present model. Soil type does not affect the normalized vapor concentration profile for homogeneous soil, which is not valid for layered soil. The width and effective diffusivity of the upward diffusion pathway and downward diffusion pathway are favorable indexes to evaluate the intensity of subsurface vapor horizontal diffusion. The single-layer capillary fringe assumption overestimates the vapor plume, the assumption can give acceptable result for coarse soil while it is recommended to divide the soil into several layers based on the water-filled porosity profile for fine soil.