• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.51-65
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• 2003

A series of numerical simulations were carried out using STOMP( Subsurface Transport over Multiple Phase) simulator. The flow and distribution of LNAPL were analyzed in homogeneous fine and coarse sand. Vertical movement of LNAPL is faster in the coarser sand. But the total volume of LNAPL retained in the unsaturated zone is larger in the finer sand. A fine layer in the coarse sand domain is also simulated. The results showed that the retained LNAPL volume and shape are highly influenced by the Position of the fine layer. Flow and distributions of LNAPL were simulated when there were heterogeneous lenses in the sand domain. Water table fluctuation was also considered. In these cases, it was found that the heterogeneous lens was a barrier to LNAPL flow, and water table fluctuation stimulated the downward movement of retained LNAPL. The LNAPL flow and distribution observed in these numerical experiments show that in the subsurface environment, the behaviors of LNAPL highly depend on heterogeneities of unsaturated zone and the dynamic hydrogeologic condition such as water table fluctuation. These results can explain some of the complexity of LNAPL flow and distribution Patterns in LNAPL contaminated field sites.