Model Prediction of Long-Term Reactive Core Mat Efficacy for Capping Contaminated Aquatic Sediments
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 4
Abstract
This paper describes the development and validation of a one-dimensional, large-strain consolidation-coupled contaminant transport model. The RCM-XPORT2 model uses the CS2 large-strain consolidation approach coupled with reactive advective/dispersive solute transport through a deforming saturated porous media, capped with a reactive sequestering geomaterial known as a reactive core mat (RCM). Validation of the model is presented by simulating consolidation-coupled contaminant transport experiments performed on naphthalene-spiked sediment from the Neponset River in Milton, Massachusetts. Finally, the paper presents a hypothetical case study of pre- and post-RCM application polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) fate and transport in the Lower Neponset River using RCM-XPORT2 and U.S. EPA Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program surface water quality model. The Neponset River case study evaluates the long-term effect of sediment RCM capping on reducing the water column PCB concentration.
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Acknowledgments
The work described in this paper is supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) under Grant No. R01ES16205. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NIEHS. The authors also acknowledge the efforts of Derek J. Yu and Brian Franklin, undergraduates at Northeastern University, who conducted the design and oversaw initial fabrication of the ICSTAC device, and assisted with the experimental phase.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 139 • Issue 4 • April 2013
Pages: 564 - 575
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 31, 2011
Accepted: Aug 6, 2012
Published online: Aug 17, 2012
Published in print: Apr 1, 2013
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