Measuring the k–S–p relations on DNAPLs migration

Migration characteristics of dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) in the subsurface can be expressed as a water–DNAPL two-phase system based on mainly the k–S–p relations, which describe the relations among relative permeability (k), degree of water saturation (S), and capillary pressure head (p). The aims of this research are to develop an experimental system with new type of probes, such as the electrical conductivity probe for measuring the degree of water saturation and the hydrophilic and hydrophobic tensiometer for measuring the pore water and DNAPL pressures, and also to estimate the results obtained from the developed experimental system. From these tests, the excellent k–S–p relations were obtained and the efficiency and validity of this developed experimental system have been confirmed in terms of the concept of the scaling coefficient calculated by interfacial tensions.     

Monitoring over‐winter soil water dynamics in a freezing and snow‐covered environment using a thermally insulated tensiometer

Water potential below a frozen soil layer was continuously monitored over an entire winter period (using thermally insulated tensiometers sheltered in a heated chamber) along with other soil, snow and atmospheric variables. In early winter, the freezing front advanced under a thin snow cover, inducing upward soil water flow in the underlying unfrozen soil. The freezing front started to retreat when the snow cover became thick enough to insulate the soil, resulting in the reversal of the flow direction in the unfrozen zone. These data provide a clear illustration of soil water dynamics, which have rarely been monitored with a tensiometer. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Validation of a soil water balance model using soil water content and pressure head data

The validation of soil water balance models and the evaluation of the quality of the model predictions at field‐scale require time‐series of in situ measured model outputs. In our study, we have validated such a model using a 6‐year period with time‐series of automatically recorded, daily volumetric soil water contents measured with the time‐domain reflectometry with intelligent microelements (TRIME) method and daily pressure heads measured with tensiometers. The comparisons of simulated with measured soil water contents and pressure heads were analysed using the modelling efficiency index (IA) and the square root of the mean square error (RMSE) in order to evaluate the prediction quality of the model. In our study, IA and RMSE, obtained either from the comparison of simulated with measured soil water contents or the comparison of calculated with observed pressure heads, in some cases lead to different results regarding the evaluation of the simulation quality of the soil water balance model. For example, a good fit between simulated and observed soil water contents does not necessarily result in a comparably good fit between the corresponding calculated and measured pressure heads. Therefore, a combined use of both measurement techniques, which takes into account their respective advantages and disadvantages, gives a more complete overview on the simulation quality of the soil water balance model than the single use of one of those techniques. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

非饱和黄土地基降雨入渗离心模型试验及多物理量联合监测

对非饱和土降雨入渗过程及其致灾机制的深入认识有赖于室内外试验及多物理量联合监测。基于离心机超重力环境下土体响应监测技术,开展了非饱和黄土地基降雨入渗离心模型试验,测试研究了超重力环境对新研制的微型TDR探针及张力计测量的影响规律,并利用TDR、张力计及弯曲元对降雨入渗过程中土体响应进行多物理量联合监测。研究结果表明:在不同离心加速度下微型TDR探针与给定含水率土体实测原始波形重合,说明超重力环境对TDR测试没有影响,含水率的测试误差在2%以内。在离心机加速过程中,张力计所测吸力下降约2.0~2.9 kPa,当离心加速度稳定在40g时,所测吸力在10min内上升并接近常重力下土体初始吸力。在降雨入渗过程中,埋设在同一深度的TDR探针、张力计和弯曲元对湿润锋响应的时间点基本一致,降雨入渗导致土体含水率增加,基质吸力降低,剪切波速降低。这些多物理量监测数据有助于建立非饱和土含水率-吸力-剪切模量之间的关系。     

Mobilisierbarkeit von hydrophoben organischen Schadstoffen in belasteten Böden und Abfällen. Teil I: Mobilisierbarkeit von PCB,PAK und n-Alkanen durch Lösungsvermittler

Mobilization Potential of Hydrophobic Organic Compounds (HOCs) in Contaminated Soils and Waste Materials. Part I: Mobilization Potential of PCBs, PAHs, and Aliphatic Hydrocarbons in the Presence of Solubilizing Substances When using an elution procedure for organic pollutants to estimate the leaching behaviour of contamined soils and waste deposits, the influence of organic matter in solids and eluates adequately has to be considered. In batch tests with a solid/liquid ratio of 1:10, various aqueous solutions were composed, the solubilizing effect of which can be attributed to ubiquitous natural compounds (e. g., phospholipids, humic and carbonic acids). These solutions were evaluated in regard to the mobilization of PAHs, PCBs, and aliphatic hydrocarbons in soil and waste samples. The results were compared with batch tests containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), the properties and applications of which are selected and optimized in order to simulate the chemical interactions between pollutant and solubilizing substances of natural sources. Under alkaline conditions, the part of eluated pollutants was high because of the release of humic substances indigenous to the sample. Low concentrations of phospholipids and humic acid could decrease the mobility of aliphatic hydrocarbons. The extend of HOC mobilization is affected by specific interdependences between solubilizing substances and reactive matter of the samples. For most samples, 5.0 g/L concentrated SDS solution was able to simulate the most effective natural solutizer potential in regard to the mobilization of PAHs, PCBs, and aliphatic hydrocarbons within the system of batch tests. Whereas elution with pure water caused significant deviations in pollutant composition and too low yields, the use of SDS effected à good conformity. Modified in such a manner, the elution procedure can follow DIN 38414 part 4, when loss of pollutants will be minimized; e. g., centrifugation is needed to separate phases.     

The role of organic matter in the sorption capacity of marine sediments

Past studies have suggested that desiccation enhances hydrophobicity of salt marsh sediment, and that drying and rewetting sediment can be used to investigate sorption mechanisms of amino acids and other organic compounds [Liu, Z., Lee, C., 2006. Drying effects on sorption capacity of coastal sediment: The importance of architecture and polarity of organic matter. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 70, 3313–3324]. Here we further develop this technique to study sorption of hydrophobic and hydrophilic organic compounds in a wide range of marine sediments. Our results show that hydrophilic compounds sorb strongly to wet coastal sediments; in dried sediments, sorption of hydrophilic compounds decreases, while sorption of hydrophobic compounds is greatly enhanced. Small compounds with aromatic rings sorb more in dried than wet coastal sediments, suggesting that aromatic groups have a stronger effect on sorption than polar groups like amino and carboxyl moieties. Sorption of lysine, glutamic acid and putrescine decreases greatly when sediment is pretreated with KCl, indicating the importance of cation ion exchange. However, α-amino acids sorb much more than corresponding β- or γ-amino acids, and l-alanine sorbs more than d-alanine, suggesting that amino group location and chiral selectivity play an important role in sorption. Comparison of lysine and tyrosine sorption in different sediments indicates that source and diagenetic state of organic matter are important factors determining sorption capacity. Lysine sorbs much more to organic detritus from salt marsh sediment than to fresh Spartina root materials, marine particles, lignin or humic acids, indicating the importance of structural integrity in sorption. Desorption hysteresis of glutamic acid, putrescine and lysine (in dried sediment) suggests the presence of enzyme-type sorption sites of high sorption energy or multiple binding mechanisms. Taken together, these findings suggest that organic matter plays the major role in amino acid sorption in organic-rich sediments.     

Membrane Ozonation in Wastewater Treatment

The utilization of porous membranes in mass transfer processes of gaseous ozone to water was investigated. With this approach a direct control of the interface between gas and liquid is possible. Furthermore it prevents foam formation in the presence of surfactant pollution, which constitutes a problem in conventional ozonation methods. Different organic and inorganic membrane materials and geometrical arrangements were utilized and ozone transfer under varied experimental conditions was determined. Typical transfer rates obtained in the experiments were 10 g ozone per membrane square meter and hour, but under optimized conditions higher values were possible. A theoretical model was successfully applied to the results obtained. A peculiarity of the method is its inherent ozone dose control in relation to the volume flow of water.