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- Title
Evaluating the Performance of a Surface Barrier for Reducing Soil-Water Flow.
- Authors
Fred Zhang, Z.; Strickland, Chris E.; Field, Jim G.; Parker, Dan L.; Clayton, Ray E.
- Abstract
A hydraulic-conductivity factor is proposed as conservative indicator of the reduction in soil-water flow beneath surface barriers. The factor can be formulated using measured soil-water contents or pressures and was demonstrated for an interim barrier at the Hanford site. Surface barriers reduce water percolation through contaminated vadose zones, but confirming flow reduction is challenging. We propose a hydraulic-conductivity factor as a conservative indicator of the reduction in soil-water flow beneath surface barriers. The factor can be formulated using measured soil-water contents or pressures without knowledge of saturated hydraulic conductivities or hydraulic gradients. Factor determination does not require direct measurements of water flux, hence it is cost effective. Pressure- and water-content-based formulas were demonstrated using data from a drainage experiment and the former was further demonstrated for an interim barrier over buried tanks, one of which leaked radioactive waste at the Hanford Site. Three years after barrier emplacement, hydraulic conductivity decreased at 1-, 2- and 5-m measurement depths. Numerical simulations explored the relations among flux and conductivity factors. Drainage rates changed slowly at depth, with years to decades for substantial flux reduction at the underlying water table after surface barrier emplacement.
- Subjects
SOIL-Water Balance Model; IRRIGATION; ZONE of aeration; HYDRAULICS; COST effectiveness; RADIOACTIVE wastes; HANFORD Site (Wash.)
- Publication
Vadose Zone Journal, 2012, Vol 11, Issue 3, p6
- ISSN
1539-1663
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2136/vzj2011.0117