Laboratory-scale analysis of transportation and natural attenuation of diesel fuel in aquifer

Processes that control the distribution and natural attenuation (NA) of petroleum hydrocarbons dissolved from the released diesel fuel in a bench-scale model aquifer were evaluated. The experimental results obtained in two-dimensional aqueous-phase petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations indicated that the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) in the aquifer migrated in longitudinal and lateral directions. The TPH plume of 2 mg L^?1 spread to the entire area of the aquifer, and the maximum concentration at the center of the plume was 44.15 mg L^?1 after 90 days of release. After diesel fuel release, the NA of TPH was evaluated and quantified. Experimental data indicated that the NA of TPH was immediately implemented to prevent migration of the plume into the downgradient of the aquifer, but controlling the TPH plumes using NA mechanisms requires a long time.