Particle transport in a saturated porous medium: Pore structure effects

This paper presents an experimental study of the transport of suspended particles (SP) in a saturated porous medium, aimed at delineating the effects of pore structure on particle transport and deposition rate. Two porous media (silica gravel and glass beads) and silt SP were used. Breakthrough curves (BTCs) were well described by an analytical solution of the advective-dispersive equation with a first-order deposition kinetic. The recovery rate of suspended particles is higher in the glass beads even if the porosities are similar. This study shows the importance of pore distribution in transport processes of suspended particles.