Numerical simulation of benzene transport in shoreline groundwater affected by tides under different conditions

Highlights

● An approach for assessing the transport of benzene on the beach was proposed.

● The behavior of benzene in the subsurface of the beach was impacted by tide.

● Tidal amplitude influenced the travel speed and the benzene biodegradation.

● Hydraulic conductivity had the impact on plume residence time and biodegradation.

● Plume dispersed and concentration decreased due to high longitudinal dispersivity.

Abstract

The release and transport of benzene in coastal aquifers were investigated in the present study. Numerical simulations were implemented using the SEAM3D, coupled with GMS, to study the behavior of benzene in the subsurface of tidally influenced beaches. The transport and fate of the benzene plume were simulated, considering advection, dispersion, sorption, biodegradation, and dissolution on the beach. Different tide amplitudes, aquifer characteristics, and pollutant release locations were studied. It was found that the tide amplitude, hydraulic conductivity, and longitudinal dispersivity were the primary factors affecting the fate and transport of benzene. The tidal amplitude influenced the transport speed and percentage of biodegradation of benzene plume in the beach. A high tidal range reduced the spreading area and enhanced the rate of benzene biodegradation. Hydraulic conductivity had an impact on plume residence time and the percentage of contaminant biodegradation. Lower hydraulic conductivity induced longer residence time in each beach portion and a higher percentage of biodegradation on the beach. The plume dispersed and the concentration decreased due to high longitudinal dispersivity. The results can be used to support future risk assessment and management for the shorelines impacted by spill and leaking accidents. Modeling the heterogeneous beach aquifer subjected to tides can also be further explored in the future study.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Numerical simulation / Benzene / Transport and fate / Shoreline / Groundwater / Tide

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Multi-partner Research Initiative of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. The authors are particularly thankful to the comments and suggestions from international experts of oil spill control and response. The authors are also grateful to Huifang Bi, the editor and the anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and suggestions.

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