Assessment of interfacial mass transfer in water-unsaturated soils during vapor extraction

This paper presents results of a numerical investigation of soil vapor extraction (SVE) systems at the laboratory scale. The SVE technique is used to remove volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons (VCHC) from the water-unsaturated soil zone. The developed numerical model solves equations of flow, transport and interfacial mass transfer regarding an isothermal n-component and three-phase system. The mathematical model is based on a simple pore network and phase distribution model and designed to be scaled by a characteristic length. All mathematical expressions are structured into VCHC specific and VCHC non-specific parameters. Furthermore, indicators are introduced that help to separate thermodynamic equilibrium from thermodynamic non-equilibrium domains and to determine the controlling physical parameters. For numerical solution, the system of partial differential equations is discretized by a finite volume method and an implicit Euler time stepping scheme. Computational effort is reduced notably through techniques that enable spatial and temporal adaptivity, through a standard multigrid method as well as through a problem-oriented sparse-matrix storage concept. Computations are carried out in two dimensions regarding the laboratory experiment of Fischer et al. [Water Resour. Res. 32 (12) 1996 3413]. By varying the characteristic length scale of the pore network and phase distribution model, it is shown that the experimental gas phase concentrations cannot be explained only by the volatility and diffusivity of the VCHC. The computational results suggest a sorption process whose significance grows with the aqueous activity of the less or non-polar organic compounds.     

Geochemical techniques on contaminated sediments-river basin view

The big flood in the upper Elbe River catchment area has revealed a wide spectrum of problems with contaminated sediments. So far, an effective strategy for managing contaminated sediments on a river basin scale is still missing and it seems that not much has been learned from the lessons received during the last decade. In the following overview, special emphasis is given to the utilization of geochemically-based techniques for sediment remediation, which can be applied in different parts of a river basin. The examples presented here are mostly from the Elbe River catchment area. In general, new technical problem solutions need a set of practical process knowledge that uses a wide range of simulation techniques, as well as models in different spatial and temporal scales. The evaluation of recent flood events clearly demonstrates the importance of chemical expertise in the decision-making process for the sustainable development in river basins.     

Natural attenuation/phytoremediation in the vadose zone of a former industrial sludge basin

The natural attenuation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the vadose zone of a naturally revegetated former industrial sludge basin (0.45 ha) was examined. This was accomplished by comparing the concentration of 16 PAH contaminants present in sludge collected below the root zone of plants with contaminants present at 3 shallower depths within the root zone. Chemical analysis of 240 samples from 60 cores showed the average concentration of total and individual PAHs in the 0-30 cm, 30-60 cm, and bottom of the root zone strata were approximately 10, 20, and 50%, respectively, of the 16, 800 ppm average total PAH concentration in deep non-rooted sludge. Statistically significant differences in average PAH concentrations were observed between each strata studied and the non-rooted sludge except for the concentrations of acenaphthene and chrysene present at the bottom of the root zone in comparison to sludge values. The rooting depth of the vegetation growing in the basin was dependent on both vegetation type and plant age. Average rooting depths for trees, forbs (herbaceous non-grasses), and grasses were 90, 60, and 50 cm, respectively. The deepest root systems observed (100-120 cm) were associated with the oldest (12-14 year-old) mulberry trees. Examination of root systems and PAH concentrations at numerous locations and depths within the basin indicated that plant roots and their microbially active rhizospheres fostered PAH disappearance; including water insoluble, low volatility compounds, i.e. benzo(a)pyrene and benzo(ghi)perylene. The reduced concentration of PAHs in the upper strata of this revegetated former sludge basin indicated that natural attenuation had occurred. This observation supports the concept that through appropriate planting and management practices (phytoremediation) it will be possible to accelerate, maximize, and sustain natural processes, whereby even the most recalcitrant PAH contaminants (i.e. benzo(a)pyrene) can be remediated over time.     

Unidirectional gas flow in soil porosity resulting from barometric pressure cycles

During numerical simulation of air flow in the vadose zone, it was noticed that a small sinusoidal pressure would cause a gradual one-way migration of the pore gas. This was found to be a physical phenomenon, not a numerical artifact of the finite element simulation. The one-way migration occurs because the atmospheric pressure, and hence the air density, is slightly greater when air is flowing into the ground than when air is flowing out of the ground. A simple analytic theory of the phenomenon is presented, together with analytic calculations using actual barometric pressure data. In soil of one Darcy permeability, the one-way migration is of the order of a few tenths of a meter per year for either plane flow from ground surface or for radial flow from an open borehole. The migration is sufficiently small that it will have no practical consequences in most circumstances; however, investigators who conduct detailed numerical modeling should recognize that this phenomenon is not a numerical artifact in an apparently linear system.     

中条山东段植被垂直带的数量分类研究

在野外调查的基础上,应用有序样方聚类法对中条山东段植 垂直带进行了数量分类研究,结果为：１．落叶阔叶林带,包括４个亚带：（１）侧柏林带（５００￣８００ｍ）,（２０松栎林带（８００￣１８００ｍ）,（３）栓皮林带（１４００￣２０００ｍ）和（４）杨桦林带（１９００￣２２００ｍ）;２．山地草甸带（２１００￣２３５８ｍ）。此外,与前人的划分结果进行了比较,结果表明,有序样方聚类法的结果更符合实际情况。     

中亚热带次生林成林规律及经营技术研究——Ⅰ.次生林环境背景分析与类型划分

本文分析了湖南省中亚热带次生林优势种群间的联结和环境梯度。通过研究,将全省次生林划分为8大类型即暖性针叶林、温性针叶林、干热性常绿阔叶林、干暖性常绿阔叶林、暖湿性常绿阔叶林、温湿性常绿阔叶林、暖性落叶阔叶林和温性落叶阔叶林等。     

Site-Specific Characterization of Castromil Brownfield Area Related to Gold Mining Activities

Castromil is one of the gold mining areas in Portugal that has been abandoned since 1940. This area, which was first mined in Roman times, is located within a Hercynian granite body near the contact with Silurian metasediments. Gold is essentially disseminated along veins in the silicified granite, running NW-SE, related with a shear zone and frequently associated with sulphides (arsenopyrite and basically pyrite). In paragenetic terms, three stages of mineralization are considered: ferro-arseniferous (quartz + arsenopyrite I + pyrite I + pyrrhotite + bismuth), zinciferous (sphalerite + chalcopyrite), and remobilization (arsenopyrite II + galena + gold). Due to the lack of laws and environmental education, Castromil is today a gold mining heritage site where we can detect the consequences of an incautious exploration (tailings, wells and adits located in the old explored zone) and where a residential area is located. In order to characterize the actual state of the old mining area the trace metal contamination of soils and waters by mining activities was investigated. In the studied area 106 soil samples, 15 waters and 20 plants were sampled and analysed. The soil samples were analysed for 32 elements by ICP-AES. Waters were analysed by ionic chromatography and ICP-MS for major and trace elements. Plants were analysed for As, Fe and Pb by AAS. The results are discussed taking into account the risk-based standards for soils and groundwater's (target and intervention values) proposed by Swartjes (1999). The results show elevated concentration of As and Pb which were found in soils collected from agricultural areas. Foodstuff plants species collected in the Castromil agricultural area show high concentrations of As in the leaves (cabbage and lettuce) and in the tubers (potatoes). Groundwaters in the mining area contain high concentrations of As that exceeds the intervention values. The area must to be subject to a remediation process, considering the actual risks to humans and ecosystems and the risks due to contaminant migration.     

苏北盐城海岸带陆源氮磷污染负荷估算初探

海岸带陆源氮磷污染输入是导致近海赤潮的主要原因,但目前尚缺乏系统的调查研究。文章采用野外实地调查和文献调研相结合的方法,从农田径流、养殖废水排放、居民生活污水和工业废水排放等几个方面,初步估算了盐城海岸带陆源氮磷污染负荷的分配情况。结果表明,盐城海岸带主要陆源污染源中,养殖水域氮磷排放总量为7641t和480t,分别占排放总量的75.1%、63.5%;其次为居民工矿的生活生产污水,其氮磷排放量为2083t和232t,占总排放量的20.5%、30.7%;农田目前看来不是盐城海岸带主要的陆源污染源,排放量仅占4.4%和5.8%。在当前海岸带陆源污染源治理中,除采取有力措施控制养殖水域养分流失外,农村和乡镇生活生产污水的排放也应引起重视。     

洁净煤开采技术途径的探讨

探讨了如何从源头上采取一系列洁净煤开采技术，以控制矿区环境的污染。     

考虑煤岩体成拱效应的工作面区段煤柱合理尺寸研究

为研究综采工作面面间煤柱留设宽度及加固范围,以陕西铜川玉华煤矿一采区为工程背景,首先建立采空区上覆岩土体自重荷载向煤柱传递的传力拱模型,通过求解传力拱模型,对采空区上覆岩土体荷载向煤柱的传递机理进行分析研究。再结合极限平衡理论与刚塑性理论,给出煤柱最小留设宽度与煤帮加固范围计算式。进一步对传力拱影响范围的各参数进行分析,结果表明:当开采宽度小于临界值,煤柱留设宽度随工作面埋深、工作面倾向长度增大而增大,随顶板材料黏聚力、内摩擦角的增大而减小;开采宽度超过临界值时,作用在煤柱上的荷载发生绕流现象。最后根据研究结果进行工程验证,巷道表面位移观测结果说明所设计的煤柱尺寸合理可靠。研究结果对类似开采条件下的区段煤柱宽度确定具有参考意义。