Biodegradation and transport of phenols through compacted clay liners: experiments and modeling

The one-dimensional transport of phenolic contaminants through compacted clay liners has been simulated in this study using the advection-dispersion equation form which includes the biodegradation sink term. Laboratory tests were performed in order to evaluate the transport parameters of phenolic compounds through compacted clay samples. An appropriate numerical solution of the advection dispersion transport equation was then developed for the interpretation of the laboratory test results. The adopted numerical model is able to consider two different kinds of degradation kinetics and the appropriate boundary conditions for the laboratory equipment used in the test program.