Sorption and mass fluxes of sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde condensates in aquifers

Sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde condensates (SNFC) and their monomeric analogues were used as superplasticizers for cement suspension injections at two tunnel construction sites that are in direct contact with groundwater. Because in one case the aquifer is an important drinking water resource, the behavior of SNFC in the groundwater was carefully investigated. Chemical analyses showed that SNFC leached to the groundwater in concentrations of up to 58 μg/l of total SNFC at a distance of about 60 m down-gradient from the construction site. Of the individual SNFC components, only monomers and oligomers with up to four units could be detected in the groundwater. Oligomers with more than four units did not leach from the cement paste. The leached oligomers were transported in the groundwater at different velocities, which can be explained by sorption experiments. Mass fluxes of SNFC used at the tunnel construction sites were evaluated. Most SNFC were immobilized in the cement, but 5% (w/w) of the applied SNFC were found to leach into the aquifer. This corresponds to a total amount of leached SNFC of approximately 100 kg, of which about 80% are biodegraded in the aquifer and 20% (20 kg) still remain in the groundwater.