• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.109-118
• /
• 2013

Characteristics of the transport of zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) in an aquifer were investigated to evaluate an application of nZVI-based reactive zone technology. Main flow direction of groundwater was north. Preferential flow paths of the groundwater identified by natural gradient tracer test were shown northeast and northwest. The highest groundwater velocity was $4.86{\times}10^{-5}$ m/s toward northwest. When the breakthrough curves obtained from the gravity injection of nZVI were compared with the tracer curves, the transport of nZVI was retarded and retardation factors were 1.17 and 1.34 at monitoring wells located on the northeast and northwest, respectively. The ratios of the amount of nZVI delivered to the amount of tracer delivered at the two wells mentioned above were 24 and 28 times greater than that of the well on the main flow direction, respectively. Attachment efficiency based on a filtration theory was $4.08{\times}10^{-2}$ along the northwest direction that was the main migration route of nZVI. Our results, compared to attachment efficiencies obtained in other studies, demonstrate that the mobility of nZVI was higher than that of results reported in previous studies, regardless of large iron particle sizes of the current study. Based on distribution of nZVI estimated by the attachment efficiency, it was found that nZVI present within 1.05 m from injection well could remove 99% of TCE within 6 months.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.27 no.spc
• /
• pp.64-74
• /
• 2022

The conceptual site model (CSM) is used as a key tool to support decision making in risk based management of contaminated sites. In this work, CSM was applied in Jeonju Industrial Complex where site investigation for groundwater contamination was conducted. Site background information including facility types, physical conditions, contaminants spill history, receptor exposure, and ecological information were collected and cross-checked with tabulated checklist necessary for CSM application. The CSM for contaminants migration utilized DNAPL transport model and narrative CSMs were constructed for source to receptor pathway, ecological exposure route, and contaminants fate and transport in the form of a diagram or flowchart. The component and uncertainty of preliminary CSM were reviewed using the data gap analysis while taking into account the purpose of the survey and the site management stage at the time of the survey. Through this approach, the potential utility of CSM was demonstrated in the site management process, such as assessing site conditions and planning follow-up survey work.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.587-598
• /
• 2023

To assess the distribution and temporal changes in radon concentration within a region in Yeonpung-myeon, Goesan-gun, known for elevated groundwater radon levels, we conducted a series of analyses, measuring radon concentration and DTW (Depth to water table) at 2-month intervals over 12 cycles. The investigation covered 10 groundwater wells and one stream within the designated area. The groundwater in the central part of the region exhibited high radon concentrations, ranging from 37.0 to 2,675.2 Bq/L. Conversely, the peripheral zones displayed comparatively lower radon concentrations, ranging from 10.6 to 37.9 Bq/L. This variation is attributed to the presence of granite porphyry that intruded into the Okcheon Formation, forming a fracture zone and contributing to elevated radon levels in the central part. In contrast, the peripheral locations, located within the Okcheon Formation and away from the granite porphyry intrusion, demonstrated lower radon concentrations. The observed significant fluctuation in radon concentration in the central area is associated with its low-lying topography. The pronounced seasonal changes in groundwater levels contribute to the migration of shallow, low-radon groundwater into areas with higher radon concentrations, explaining the observed variations in radon levels within the central part of the studied area.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.267-274
• /
• 2014

The first Low- and Intermediate-Level Waste (LILW) disposal facility with 6 silos has been constructed in granite host rock saturated with groundwater in Korea. A two-dimensional numerical modeling on gas migration was carried out using TOUGH2 with EOS5 module in the disposal facility. Laboratory-scale experiments were also performed to measure the important properties of silo concrete related with gas migration. The gas entry pressure and relative gas permeability of the concrete was determined to be $0.97{\pm}0.15bar$ and $2.44{\times}10^{-17}m^2$, respectively. The results of the numerical modeling showed that hydrogen gas generated from radioactive wastes was dissolved in groundwater and migrated to biosphere as an aqueous phase. Only a small portion of hydrogen appeared as a gas phase after 1,000 years of gas generation. The results strongly suggested that hydrogen gas does not accumulate inside the disposal facility as a gas phase. Therefore, it is expected that there would be no harmful effects on the integrity of the silo concrete due to gas generation.

• Journal of Korea Soil Environment Society
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.89-102
• /
• 1996

An integrated model is presented to describe underground flow and mass transport, using a multicomponent multiphase approach. The comprehensive governing equation is derived considering mass and force balances of chemical species over four phases(water, oil, air, and soil) in a schematic elementary volume. Compact and systemati notations of relevant variables and equations are introduced to facilitate the inclusion of complex migration and transformation processes, and variable spatial dimensions. The resulting nonlinear system is solved by a multidimensional finite element code. The developed code with dynamic array allocation, is sufficiently flexible to work across a wide spectrum of computers, including an IBM ES 9000/900 vector facility, SP2 cluster machine, Unix workstations and PCs, for one-, two and three-dimensional problems. To reduce the computation time and storage requirements, the system equations are decoupled and solved using a banded global matrix solver, with the vector and parallel processing on the IBM 9000. To avoide the numerical oscillations of the nonlinear problems in the case of convective dominant transport, the techniques of upstream weighting, mass lumping, and elementary-wise parameter evaluation are applied. The instability and convergence criteria of the nonlinear problems are studied for the one-dimensional analogue of FEM and FDM. Modeling capacity is presented in the simulation of three dimensional composite multiphase TCE migration. Comprehesive simulation feature of the code is presented in a companion paper of this issue for the specific groundwater or flow and contamination problems.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.73-77
• /
• 2009

Two different aquifers with different characteristics developed in the study area - a lower and upper aquifer zone. Nitrate contamination of the lower aquifer zone was likely due to infiltration of nitrate-contaminated groundwater of the upper aquier zone through abandoned groundwater wells. In order to evaluate the feasibility of a preliminary packer designed to prevent nitrate migration through abandoned groundwater wells NO3-N concentrations of the upper and lower part of preliminary packer installed at four sampling sites were measured. Nitrate concentrations of the and lower part of Yechun sinwolri were 10.3 mg/L and 5.0 mg/L, respectively. Yechun eosinri, Yechun jeowooriis, and Andong hoegokri were $NO_3$-N concentrations in the upper (11.3, 11.0, and 14.6 mg/L) and lower (8.8, 1.6, and 8.0 mg/L), respectively. $NO_3$-N contents of all groundwater samples in the lower part after the preliminary packer installation showed 22~85% lower than those of the upper part.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.747-752
• /
• 2007

The Proton Engineering Frontier Project (PEFP) has designed and developed a proton linear accelerator facility operating at 100 MeV - 20 mA. The radiological effects of such a nuclear facility on the environment are important in terms of radiation safety. This study estimated the production rates of radionuclides in the soil around the accelerator facility using MCNPX. The groundwater migration of the radioisotopes was also calculated using the Concentration Model. Several spallation reactions have occurred due to leaked neutrons, leading to the release of various radionuclides into the soil. The total activity of the induced radionuclides is approximately $2.98{\times}10^{-4}Bq/cm^3$ at the point of saturation. $^{45}Ca$ had the highest production rate with a specific activity of $1.78{\times}10^{-4}Bq/cm^3$ over the course of one year. $^3H$ and $^{22}Na$ are usually considered the most important radioisotopes at nuclear facilities. However, only a small amount of tritium was produced around this facility, as the energy of most neutrons is below the threshold of the predominant reactions for producing tritium: $^{16}O(n,\;X)^3H$ and $^{28}Si(n,X)^3H$ (approximately 20 MeV). The dose level of drinking water from $^{22}Na$ was $1.48{\times}10^{-5}$ pCi/ml/yr, which was less than the annual intake limit in the regulations.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.20-26
• /
• 2004

In-situ photolysis is one of the most promising ways to clean up a soil contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). This study focuses on the mathematical description and model development of the convective upward transport of an organic solvent driven by evaporation and photodecomposition at the surface as the major transport mechanism in the clean up process. A finite-element-based numerical model was proposed to incorporate effects of multiphase flow on the distribution of each fluid, gravity as a driving force, and the use of van Genutchen equation for more accurate description of k-S-p relations. This paper presents results of extensive numerical calculations conducted to investigate the various parameters that play a role in the solvent migration through a laboratory-scale unsaturated soil column. The numerical results indicate that gravity affects significantly on the fluids distribution and evaporation for highly permeable soils. The soil texture has a profound influence on the fluid saturation profile during evaporation process. The amount of solvent convective motion increases with increasing evaporation rates and decreasing initial water saturation. Simulations conducted in this study have shown that the developed model is very useful in analyzing the effects of various parameters on the convective migration of an organic solvent in the soil environments.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.751-758
• /
• 2019

This study tested various assumptions that simplified the configuration of the numerical model for unsaturated zone's contaminant transport to simulate the pathway to exposed point. This study investigated the contaminant migration through in the pollutant exposure pathway of vadoze zone for risk assessment of the contaminated site. For the purpose, generic scenarios as well as contaminant-based scenarios were simulated using the numerical code for transport of the contaminant in the pathway. The finite-difference one-dimensional transport with adsorption and biodegradation were considered, and it also assumed that the initial concentration was also depleted over time. The results of the generic-scenario show that as the groundwater infiltration rate decreases, the longer the path from the source to the groundwater level, the lower the concentration at the point of inflow into the groundwater level. In particular, in the case of high biodegradation rate and rapid depletion of pollutant sources, statistically outliers were found in the simulated results and generic scenarios was good at prediction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.70-79
• /
• 1996

The Friar Tuck Abandoned Coal Mine site is one of the most complexly disturbed areas in the midwestern United States. The deposits of gob and tailings contain high concentrations of pyrite, whose oxidation contributes to the acidification of soil and water and prevents the growth of vegetation. In an effort to quantitatively evaluate the effects of reclamation techniques, detailed monitoring program was performed. Water samples were collected from surface water, groundwater, and pore water from the unsaturated zone during a period of five years. According to the results, The spoil deposits are a relatively minor source of contamination and gob piles are the source of severe contamination to surface water and groundwater. But, loess and till beneath the gob piles effectively prevent the contaminated water migration from the source. Surface layers of the gob piles and the tailing deposits are less toxic than the interior of the deposits as a consequence of weathering over several decades. Acid mine drainage is in a post-peak stage and acid formation potential is probably situated in the unsaturated zone of refuse.