An approach for quantification of the heterogeneity of DNAPL source zone geometries

Many studies have investigated the migration and entrapment processes of source zones from dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) contamination under different conditions. However, the characterization of occupying area by source zone (or source shape) in water-saturated aquifers is still rudimentarily considered. In this study, we demonstrated this issue (1) by providing a brief review of existing approaches for source shape consideration, (2) by proposing an approach with simple shape parameters based on the non-uniformity of source widths, and (3) by providing exemplary applications of our proposed approach on shapes already published in previous research works. Our literature review suggested that the source zone in mathematical approaches is generally characterized as simple geometrical shapes (arbitrary lines or rectangles) or system-defined parameters that contrast to complex and discontinuous shapes observed in the real world. But the characterization of such complex shapes is still not possible with acceptable efforts. Therefore, we proposed an approach to parameterize the source shape by considering the variation of width and midpoints over the depth of the entire source zone and formulate four parameters based on population statistics (mean, standard deviation). To illustrate the suitability of our approach, we applied it to the results of lab experiments, and by analyzing these complex shapes, we highlighted the potential for improving the characterization techniques of non-uniformity of the source zones.