5. Contamination of Sediments
The chapter focuses on the dynamics of sediment contamination in environmental systems, particularly the interaction between solid sediments and liquid phases. It explains mechanisms such as dissolution and diffusion that govern the spread of dense and light non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) in aquatic environments. It also discusses the implications of historical contamination and the complexities of modeling sediment-water interfaces for effective remediation strategies.
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What we have learnt
- Understanding sediment-water interactions is crucial for assessing contamination in aquatic environments.
- Dissolution and diffusion are primary mechanisms for the transport of contaminants from sediments into the water column.
- Historical contamination can pose long-term liability issues that require careful consideration in remediation efforts.
Key Concepts
- -- DNAPL
- Dense non-aqueous phase liquids that sink in water due to their greater density.
- -- LNAPL
- Light non-aqueous phase liquids that float on water because of their lower density.
- -- Plume
- The spread of dissolved chemicals in water, visually represented as a plume that marks the boundary of chemical concentration.
- -- Percolation
- The movement of fluids through porous media, which is challenging in the presence of water and small sediment pores.
- -- Mass Transfer Coefficient
- A factor that characterizes the mass transfer rate of a substance, influencing how quickly contaminants move from sediments into water.
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