A physical–mathematical model for the transport of heavy metals and toxic matter from point sources by geogas microbubbles

Mobile heavy metals and toxic matter from underground polluting sources may be transported upwards to the ground surface under the action of ascending geogas microbubble flow. In this paper both stable and unstable 3-D physical–mathematical models are set up to describe the matter transport process from point sources by ascending microbubble flows. The spatial dispersion of the jet halo formed by microbubble flows in stable and unstable processes are discussed. Results of a computer simulation indicate that if the microbubble is strong-the jet coefficient κ=v/2D is great—the mass of toxic matter may be transported upward to the ground surface, where it could have a negative impact on the surrounding environment. If the microbubble flow is minimal, the detection of the jet halo can provide an early warning sign of potential future pollution from the ground source. The good fitting between experimental data and theoretical model suggests the possibility to use the model to describe the matter transport process by ascending microbubble flows.