Retardation of ammonium and potassium transport through a contaminated sand and gravel aquifer: The Role of cation exchange
ES and T Contents
By: M.L. Ceazan, E.M. Thurman, and R. L. Smith
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Abstract
The role of cation exchange in the retardation of ammonium (NH4+) and potassium (K+) transport in a shallow sand and gravel aquifer was evaluated by use of observed distributions of NH4+ and K+ within a plume of sewage-contaminated groundwater, small-scale tracer injection tests, and batch sorption experiments on aquifer material. Both NH4+ and K+ were transported ???2 km in the 4-km-long contaminant plume (retardation factor, Rf = 2.0). Sediments from the NH4+-containing zone of the plume contained significant quantities of KCl-extractable NH4+ (extraction distribution coefficient, Kd,extr = 0.59-0.87 mL/g of dry sediment), and when added to uncontaminated sediments, NH4+ sorption followed a linear isotherm. Small-scale tracer tests demonstrated that NH4+ and K+ were retarded (Rf =3.5) relative to a nonreactive tracer (Br-). Sorption of dissolved NH4+ was accompanied by concomitant release of calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), and sodium (Na+) from aquifer sediments, suggesting involvement of cation exchange. In contrast, nitrate (NO3-) was not retarded and cleanly separated from NH4+ and K+ in the small-scale tracer tests. This study demonstrates that transport of NH4+ and K+ through a sand and gravel aquifer can be markedly affected by cation-exchange processes even at a clay content less than 0.1%.
Suggested Citation
Ceazan, M., Thurman, E., Smith, R.L., 1989, Retardation of ammonium and potassium transport through a contaminated sand and gravel aquifer: The Role of cation exchange: ES and T Contents, v. 23, no. 11, p. 1402-1408, https://doi.org/10.1021/es00069a012.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Retardation of ammonium and potassium transport through a contaminated sand and gravel aquifer: The Role of cation exchange |
| Series title | ES and T Contents |
| DOI | 10.1021/es00069a012 |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue | 11 |
| Publication Date | May 01, 2002 |
| Year Published | 1989 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | ACS |
| Contributing office(s) | Toxic Substances Hydrology Program |
| Description | 7 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| First page | 1402 |
| Last page | 1408 |