Research on the moving behaviors and modeling of light nonaqueous phase liquid in subsurface

A two-dimensional experimental chamber is designed and installed to simulate the spills or leaks of lighter than water nonaqueous liquid in water-wetted porous media.The results show the infiltration,movement and distribution of light nonaqueous phase liquid(LNAPL) in subsurface.Then the mechanisms of LNAPL contamination are analysed by the multiphase fluid theory.Based on the experimental results,the analytical models are developed to predict the moving behaviors of LNAPL in the unsaturated-saturated zone,including the spreading velocity of contaminant front in shallow vadose zone and the final extent of immobile oil lens.The calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental data.It is shown that the predict models are critical for control and remediation of LNAPL contamination in groundwater.