Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Quantification of pore clogging characteristics in potential permeable reactive barrier (PRB) substrates using image analysis

Wantanaphong, J.; Mooney, S. J.; Bailey, E. H.

Authors

J. Wantanaphong

SACHA MOONEY sacha.mooney@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Soil Physics

LIZ BAILEY LIZ.BAILEY@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Environmental Geochemistry



Abstract

Permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) are now an established approach for groundwater remediation. However, one concern is the deterioration of barrier material performance due to pore clogging. This study sought to quantify the effect of pore clogging on the alteration of the physical porous architecture of two novel potential PRB materials (clinoptilolite and calcified seaweed) using image analysis of SEM-derived images. Results after a water treatment contaminated with heavy metals over periods of up to 10 months identified a decrease in porosity from c. 22% to c. 15% for calcified seaweed and from c. 22% to c. 18% for clinoptilolite. Porosity was reduced by as much as 37% in a calcified seaweed column that clogged. The mean pore size (2D) of both materials slightly decreased after water treatment with c. 11% reduction in calcified seaweed and c. 7% reduction in clinoptilolite. An increase in the proportion of crack-shaped pores was observed in both materials after the contaminated water treatment, most noticeably in the bottom of columns where contaminated water first reacted with the material. The distribution of pores (within a given image) derived from the distance transform indicated the largest morphological differences in materials was recorded in calcified seaweed columns, which is likely to impact significantly on their performance as barrier materials. The magnitude of porosity reduction over a short time period in relation to predicted barrier longevity suggest these and similar materials may be unsuited for barrier installation in their present form. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Citation

Wantanaphong, J., Mooney, S. J., & Bailey, E. H. (2006). Quantification of pore clogging characteristics in potential permeable reactive barrier (PRB) substrates using image analysis. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 86(3-4), 299-320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2006.04.003

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 18, 2006
Online Publication Date May 24, 2006
Publication Date Aug 10, 2006
Deposit Date Feb 3, 2020
Journal Journal of Contaminant Hydrology
Print ISSN 0169-7722
Electronic ISSN 1873-6009
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 86
Issue 3-4
Pages 299-320
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2006.04.003
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3191806
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169772206000738