Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 14
Retention and Transfer of Pollution by
Hydrocarbons: Mechanisms and
Numerical Modeling
14.1. Introduction
The general presentation of soil pollution in Chapter 12 showed the significant
importance of hydrocarbon pollution (often called NAPL or non-aqueous phase
liquid) when considering the statistics of polluted sites in industrial countries. In this
case France is presented, being comparable to other similarly developed countries.
14.2. Mechanisms
Figure 14.1 shows a standard example of localized accidental pollution caused
by a NAPL leak from an industrial facility using hydrocarbons. This includes, of
course, petrol stations. As seen in Figure 14.1, the leak results in NAPL infiltrating
the vadose zone (alluvial or silt deposits) down to the water table.
