• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.13-21
• /
• 2012

This study reports a surfactant-enhanced in-situ remediation treatment at a test site which is located in a hilly terrain. The leakage oils from a storage tank situated on the top of the hill contaminated soils and groundwater in the lower elevation. Sixteen vertical injection wells (11 m deep) were installed at the top of the hill to introduce 0.1-0.5 vol.% of non-ionic Tween-80 surfactant. The contaminated area that required remediation treatment was about $1,650\;m^2$. Two cycles of injecting surfactant solution followed by water were repeated over approximately 7.5 months: first cycle with 0.5 month of surfactant injection followed by 3 months of water injection, and second cycle with 1 month of surfactant followed by 3 months of water injection. The seasonal fluctuation in groundwater table was also considered in the selection of periods for surfactant and water injection. The results showed that the initial Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration of 1,041 mg/kg (maximum 3,605 mg/kg) was reduced significantly down to 76.6 mg/kg in average. After 2nd surfactant injection process finished, average TPH concentration of soils was reduced to 7.5% compared to initial concentration. Also, average BTEX concentration of soils was reduced to 10.8%. This resultes show that the surfactant enhanced in-situ remediation processes can be applicable to LNAPL contaminated site in field scale.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.1-17
• /
• 2021

Self-potential (SP) surveys measure naturally occurring differences in electrical potential in the absence of artificial sources and have been applied to various fields since the first application in mineral explorations. Among various causes of SP occurrences, streaming potential is generated by the flow of groundwater, and makes SP surveys suitable for the exploration of groundwater table fluctuation, fractures, sinkholes and landslide occurrences. Recently, there has been many studies that applied SP surveys to monitor water leakage through dikes and embankments. In this review paper, we first review the characteristics and theoretical backgrounds of streaming potential in saturated or unsaturated porous media to introduce it in the embankment among various application field. After the review of the background theory, we review the past cases of field SP surveys on dikes and embankments and also the characteristics of field streaming potential data in the surveys. Further, by analyzing past studies of qualitative as well as quantitative interpretation of SP survey data, we show the possibility of quantitative interpretation of streaming potential data obtained on dikes and embankments. Consequently, it is hope that this review paper helps researches on SP surveys on dikes and embankments, and provides basis for interpretation methods of the SP data to identify leaked area and further leakage rate (or permeability).

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.489-506
• /
• 2024

Excavation of tunnels below the groundwater table changes the hydraulic boundary conditions, causing flow towards the excavation face. Inflow into a tunnel is generally influenced by pre-excavation grouting, shotcrete lining, drainage system implementation, and the hydraulic deterioration of the drainage system. From the perspective of continuum theory, the groundwater inflow behavior due to excavation is very similar to the tunnel excavation behavior known as the convergence-confinement method. The groundwater inflow behavior due to tunnel excavation can be explained by the hydraulic convergence, while the behavior of shotcrete lining in limiting inflow can be inferred as hydraulic confinement. This study investigates the hydraulic convergence and confinement behavior using theoretical and numerical methods due to tunnelling. It is confirmed that the hydraulic convergence-confinement is exactly the same as the mechanical convergence-confinement concept. It is identified that the behavior is governed by the tunnel geometry, grout thickness and permeability, as well as the thickness and permeability of the support materials, such as shotcrete.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.41-49
• /
• 2003

Rainfall-induced landslides in a weathered granite soil slope usually happen on shallow slip surfaces above the groundwater table. The pore-water pressure of soil above the groundwater table is usually negative. This negative pore-water pressure (or matric suction) has been found to make a large contribution to the slope stability. Therefore, the variation of in-situ matric suction profiles with time elapse in a soil slope should be understood. In this study, a field measurement program was carried out from June to August, 2001 in order to monitor in-situ matric suctions and volumetric water contents in a weathered granite soil slope. Finite-element transient seepage analyses are also conducted using SEEP/W. The influence of climatic conditions on the variation of in-situ matric suctions could be found to decrease rapidly with the change of depth. It could be found that decrement of matric suction induced by precipitation is affected not only by the amount and duration of rainfalls but also by the initial matric suction just prior to rainstorms. The soil-water characteristic from the field monitoring tends toward the wetting path of SWCC obtained from the laboratory test.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.179-193
• /
• 2002

Waste foundry sands were tested to determine their leaching characteristics when used as reactive media in permeable reactive barriers (PRBs). Water leach tests and column leach tests were performed on twelve foundry sands and three reference materials such as Peerless iron, a local fill material, and torpedo sand. The latter three materials were tested to compare concentrations of heavy metals and anions found in other materials commonly placed below the groundwater table with those from the foundry sands. Results of water leach tests md total elemental analyses showed that all of the laundry sands are Category 2 materials per Section NR 538 of the Wisconsin Administrator Code. However, tests on Peerless iron, torpedo sand, and a typical fill material indicate that these materials, which are commonly placed below the groundwater table, also are Category 2 materials. Thus, using foundry sand as a PR3 medium should pose no greater risk than that imposed using conventional construction materials.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.9-19
• /
• 2021

This study evaluated the feasibility of combined use of physical separation and soil washing to remediate heavy metals (Pb and Cu) contaminated soil in a military shooting range. The soils were classified into two types based on the level of heavy metal concentrations: a higher contaminated soil (HCS) with Pb and Cu concentrations of 6,243 mg/kg and 407 mg/kg, respectively, and a lower contaminated soil (LCS) with their concentrations of 1,658 mg/kg and 232 mg/kg. Pb level in both soils exceeded the regulatory limit (700 mg/kg), and its concentration generally increased with decreasing soil particle size. However, in some cases, Pb concentrations increased with increasing soil particle size, presumably due to the presence of residues of bullets in the soil matrix. As a pretreatment step, a shaking table was used for physical separation of soil to remove bullet residues while fractionating the contaminated soils into different sizes. The most effective separation and fractionation were achieved at vibration velocity of 296 rpm/min, the table slope of 7.0°, and the separating water flow rate of 23 L/min. The efficiency of ensuing soil washing process for LCS was maximized by using 0.5% HCl with the soil:washing solution mixing ratio of 1:3 for 1 hr treatment. On the contrary, HCS was most effectively remediated by using 1.0% HCl with the same soil:solution mixing ratio for 3 hr. This work demonstrated that the combined use of physical separation and soil washing could be a viable option to remediate soils highly contaminated with heavy metals.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.381-393
• /
• 1989

Hydrogeological modelling was performed to evaluate groundwater flow system in Igsan Area. The study area extends over $790km^2$. The geology consists of Jurassic Daebo granite and gneissose granite and Precambrian metamorphic rocks. The capability of pumping yield is the highest in gneissose granite region among them due to comparatively thick weathered zone with thickness ranging from 10m to 25m. The Colorado State University Finite Difference Model was used for the model simulation. The model was divided into 28 rows and 31 columns with variable grid spacing. The model was calibrated under steady-state and unsteady-state conditions. In the steady-state simulation, the model results were compared with measured water table contours in September 1985 with determining hydraulic conductivities and net recharge rates during rainy season. Unsteady state simulation was done to know the aquifer response due to groundwater abstraction. The non- steady state calibration was conducted to determine the distribution and magnitudes of specific yields and discharge/recharge rates during dry season as matching water level altitudes in May 1986. The calibrated model was used to simulate water level vaiation caused by groundwater withdrawal and natural recharge from 1 October, 1985 until 30 September, 1995. The calibrated model can be used to groundwater development schemes on regional groundwater levels, but it cannot be used to simulate local groundwater level change at a specific site.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.44-57
• /
• 2008

In this study, a 2D finite-element analysis, using the SEEP/W program, was carried out to estimate the amount of groundwater flawing into a tunnel, as well as the groundwater tables around wetland areas during and after a tunnel excavation through rock mass. Four sites along the Wonhyo-tunnel in Cheonseong Mountain (Gyeongnam, Korea) were analysed, where the model damain of the tunnel included both wetland and fault zone. The anisotropy of the hydraulic conductivities of the rock mass was calculated using the DFN model, and then used as an input parameter for the cantinuum model. Parametric study on the influencing factors was perofrmed to minimize uncertainties in the hydraulic properties. Moreover, the volumetric water content and hydraulic conductivity functions were applied ta the model to reflect the ability of a medium ta store and transport water under both saturated and unsaturated conditions. The conductivity of fault zone was assumed ta be $10^{-5}m/sec\;or\;10^{-6}m/sec$ and the conductivity of grouting zone was assumed as 1/10, 1/50 or 1/100 of the conductivity of rock mass. Totally $6{\sim}8$ cases of transient flow simulation were peformed at each site. The hydraulic conductivities of fault zone showed a significant influence on groundwater inflow when the fault zone crossed the tunnel. Also, groundwater table around wetland maintained in case that the hydraulic conductivity of grouting zone was reduced ta be less than 1/50 of the hydraulic conductivity of rock mass.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.116-124
• /
• 2010

While groundwater is the major source for drinking and irrigation purposes, arsenic (As) contamination of groundwater is a serious issue in Bangladesh. With a view to reduce As contamination in drinking water the guideline value recommended for Bangladesh is 0.05 mg/L. We assessed groundwater As in an As-affected Sadar Upazilla (small administrative unit) in the District (administrative unit) of Chapai Nabwabganj during 2006, where 50% hand tube well water were above the recommended limit (0.05 mg/L) during dry season. Almost 20% tube well waters were above the recommended limit during rainy season, perhaps due to the dilution of water table. The groundwater in Bangladesh contaminates surface soils and plants thereby As entering the food chain. In 2005, we examined the As levels in different rice varieties grown in different Districts of Bangladesh and the As concentrations in rice grain ranged from 0.07~1.12 mg/kg while the concentrations in 3 rice varieties were above the recommended limit (1 mg/kg rice grain) and the maximum concentration was 1.12 mg/kg rice grain in the rice variety BR 11. With few exceptions, the As content of rice grain in Bangladesh is not considered to be concentration of greater health concern as yet. We also observed enhanced root uptake, efficient root-to shoot translocation, and a much elevated tolerance through internal detoxification all contribute to As hyperaccumulation in a plant, ladder brake fern (Pteris vittata L.). But the phytoremediation technique might not be an appropriate tool to reduce the As calamity in the vast areas of Bangladesh. To mitigate the As problem of Bangladesh, better coordination among governmental agencies and many other organizations will be required to combat the disaster.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.70-73
• /
• 2003

Nitrate contamination in the aquatic systems is the primary indicator of poor agricultural management. The influence of sewage sludge application rates (0, 10, 25, 50 and 100 dry Mg/ha) on distribution of nitrate originating from the sewage sludge in soil profiles was investigated. Soil profile monitoring of nitrate was carried out with a Lakeland clay soil in 1997. Irrespectively of the sewage sludge application rates up to 50 dry Mg/ha, the concentration of $NO_3$-N at the 120 cm depth was below 10 mg/kg and the difference due to the amount of sewage sludge application was negligible at this depth. There was virtually no $NO_3$-N below 120 cm depth and this was confirmed by a deep sampling up to 300 cm depth. Most of the nitrate remained in the surface 60 cm of the soil. Below 120 cm depth nitrate concentration was very low because of the denitrification even at high sewage sludge rate of 100 dry Mg/ha. The $NO_3$-N concentrations in the soil fluctuated over the growing season due to plant uptake and denitrification. The risk of groundwater contamination by nitrate from sewage sludge application up to high rate of 100 dry Mg/ha was very low in a wheat grown clay soil with high water table ( < 3 m).