Laboratory investigation of DNAPL migration in porous media

Laboratory experiments have been carried out with and without groundwater flow in a two-dimensional laboratory-scale tank to assess the influence of layered media and hydraulic gradient on DNAPL infiltration and redistribution processes. Hydrofluoroether has been used as DNAPL and glass beads have been utilized as porous medium. An image analysis procedure has been used to determine saturation distribution during infiltration and redistribution processes. This method allows quantitative time dependent full fields mapping of the DNAPL saturation, as well as the monitoring of DNAPL saturation variation. By means of performed experiments important information were obtained about the migration and redistribution process, the infiltration and migration velocity, the characteristics of migration body. The experimental results show that the hydraulic gradient promotes the infiltration process, increasing the infiltration rate. It hampers DNAPL spread and fingering bringing to a reduction of residual DNAPL and it also promotes the DNAPL redistribution, and it reduces the amount remaining at residual saturation. Furthermore the hydraulic gradient promotes downward and down-gradient migration. DNAPL migration in the direction of water flow, can be considered important due to significant errors in the location of sources in the case of high gradients and high aquifer thicknesses, and for high water flow velocities, such as those which can be expected during pumping actions in water supply or in remediation activities.