Experimental study of movement and distribution of dense organic contaminants in heterogeneous aquifers

An experimental study of the migration of denser-than-water nonaqueous-phase organic contaminants through heterogeneous porous media was carried out. The purpose of the study was to observe the flow and record the migration of the contaminant to gain a fundamental insight into the way aquifer heterogeneities influence the movement and subsequent distribution of immiscible contaminants after a spill. In addition, the experiments were designed to gather quantitative data to validate multiphase flow models. The experimental results demonstrate the importance of layering in the soil in determining the flow and entrapment behavior of dense nonaqueous-phase contaminants. The findings are of use for model conceptualization and developing field characterization strategies in aquifer remediation.