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Research article2005Peer reviewed

A study of K variability and its effect on solute transport in subsurface-flow sand filters by measurement and modelling

Klove, B; Xu, SL; Lindahl, A; Worman, A; Sovik, AK

Abstract

Hydraulics of subsurface flow filters (SSF) was studied by measurement of soil hydraulic conductivity (K) variation and performing tracer tests in two SSF filters consisting of 1-4 mm Ca rich sand (shell sand). Soil samples were carefully taken at several locations in Filter I. A tracer experiment was conducted in the undisturbed Filter II using KI. The measured K variability in Filer I was used to analyze the variations in tracer breakthrough. The spatially distribution of K was obtained by fitting a variogram to observed data and interpolation using Kriging. The tracer residence probability density function (PDF) was determined by modelling the tracer movement with a 3-D groundwater model. The observed and simulated tracer arrival was compared for cases with constant K, constant K and dispersion (D), and for spatially variable K and dispersion. The results show that groundwater models were well suited to simulate solute movement in the SSF system studied. An almost perfect fit to observed tracer PDF was obtained when variable K and dispersion was included in the model. This indicates that information on K variability and dispersion is important for studying solute movement in SSF constructed wetlands

Published in

Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A
2005, volume: 40, number: 6-7, pages: 1123-1132
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC

SLU Authors

UKÄ Subject classification

Fish and Aquacultural Science
Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1081/ESE-200055599

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/7834