Three-Dimensional High-Precision Numerical Simulations of Free-Product DNAPL Extraction in Potential Emergency Scenarios: A Test Study in a PCE-Contaminated Alluvial Aquifer (Parma, Northern Italy)

Alessandra Feo, Riccardo Pinardi (), Andrea Artoni and Fulvio Celico
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Alessandra Feo: Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
Riccardo Pinardi: Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
Andrea Artoni: Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
Fulvio Celico: Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-17

Abstract: Chlorinated organic compounds are widespread aquifer contaminants. They are known to be dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs). Therefore, they are denser than water and immiscible with other fluids. Their migration into the environment in variably saturated zones can cause severe damage. For this reason, optimizing those actions that minimize the negative impact of these compounds in the subsurface is essential. This paper presented a numerical model simulating the free-product DNAPL migration and extraction through a purpose-designed pumping well in a potential emergency scenario. The numerical simulations were performed using CactusHydro, a numerical code that uses a high-resolution shock-capturing flux conservative method to resolve the non-linear coupled partial differential equations of a three-phase immiscible fluid flow recently proposed in the literature, including the contaminant extraction at the base of the aquifer. We investigated the temporal (and spatial) evolution of its migration in the Parma (Northern Italy) porous alluvial aquifer following the saturation contour profiles of the three-phase fluid flow in variably saturated zones. The results indicated that this numerical approach can simulate the contaminant migration in the subsurface and the pumping of the free-product from a well screened at the base of the aquifer system. Moreover, the simulation showed the possibility of recovering about two-thirds of the free-product, in agreement with the scientific literature.

Keywords: DNAPL migration; DNAPL extraction; numerical simulations; groundwater immiscible flow; alluvial aquifer (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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