Scientist Develops Model To Predict Degradation Capacity Of Polluted Groundwater
Dutch researcher Phil Ham has developed mathematical models to calculate the natural degradation capacity of polluted groundwater, according to an April 14 announcement.
Groundwater under contaminated sites, such as waste disposal sites and industrial areas, is often polluted. Such a polluted groundwater plume can grow, shrink or remain stable due to an interplay between physical, chemical and biological processes.
Phil Ham has devised mathematical expressions to determine the size of a plume and to assess the natural degradation capacity of contaminated sites. His analytical models calculate the reactive transport of dissolved matter in water through porous soil and the characteristics of the mixing processes.
Within the world of engineering there is a high demand for mathematical models that allow accurate predictions to be made. If it can be calculated whether a plume will decrease in size or remain stable, invasive and expensive remediation methods can possibly be avoided, according to the researcher.
The results of this study enable predictions to be made about the effectiveness of natural degradation as an alternative to aquifer remediation, according to Ham.
Ham can be contacted at http://www.geo.uu.nl/~wwwhydro/pham.html.