EPSRC Reference: |
GR/L74217/01 |
Title: |
PENETRATION OF DENSE NON-AQUEOUS POLLUTANTS INTO DEEP UK TRIASSIC SANDSTONE AQUIFERS |
Principal Investigator: |
Lerner, Professor DN |
Other Investigators: |
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Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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Project Partners: |
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Department: |
Civil and Structural Engineering |
Organisation: |
University of Sheffield |
Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
Starts: |
01 February 1998 |
Ends: |
31 July 2001 |
Value (£): |
184,498
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EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
Assess/Remediate Contamination |
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EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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Related Grants: |
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Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
Chlorinated solvents are the most wide spread pollutants of groundwater. They are organic liquids with densities greater than water, and are known as DNAPLs (dense non-aqueous phase liquids). They can move rapidly and in complex patterns through fractures to reach and contaminate large volumes of rock groundwater. The research aims to understand this movement and provide tools to quantify it, so that the risks to health and the environment can be assessed. This will require creating a database of the relevant properties of DNAPLs (density, viscosity, wettability for sandstone), emphasizing the mixed, weathered liquids found in field situations. Field investigations will determine patterns of fracturing (apertures and Connectivity) by injecting grout and taking cored samples. A numerical model of DNAPL movement in fractured rock will be developed from an existing code. The model will be used to determine the important promoters that need to be measured for site assessments, and will be verified by application to site in Cheshire. The research will be undertaken jointly by three institutions (Bradford - coordination and hydrogeology, Greenwich - DNAPL properties, Birmingham - modelling), with support from ICI and the Environment Agency, and in collaboration with leading researchers in North America.
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Key Findings |
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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Impacts |
Description |
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Summary |
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Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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Project URL: |
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Further Information: |
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Organisation Website: |
http://www.shef.ac.uk |