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Experimental Analysis and Simulation of Pollution Distribution in Ground Water and Soil

Ziyari, Afshin | 2009

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  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 39943 (06)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
  6. Advisor(s): Shayegan, Jalal
  7. Abstract:
  8. Underground water is one of major resources of drinking water in Iran and thus, its quality (in terms of absence of pollutants) is a matter of great importance. The main goal of this research was to investigate the pollution concentration in underground water and soil in two regions: Dasht-e-naz in Sari and the fields near Sarkhoun gas refinery. The second goal was to determine the source and measure the distribution of the pollutants (in case of presence) and determine potential risks caused by them. The first step was to perform experimental tests in the two regions. In Sari's Dasht-e-naz region, a number of wells were chosen for sampling according to the direction of underground water movement. All samples were taken using two EPA standard sampling methods and tested in lab using a mass chromatography – spectrometer device which can determine both the type of the pollution and its quantity. Besides agricultural pesticides, the only detected organic material was "Methane" which was the sign of underground anaerobic activity. This does not necessarily mean that there is industrial pollution in the water but it is very likely that these anaerobic activities are the result of waste water leakage into the ground water. Based on the fact that no sign of industrial pollution was seen in the lab tests, we can conclude that if the detected Methane was the result of biological decomposition of industrial solvents, all of the solvents were disappeared (Due to the activity of microorganisms) and they can no longer be counted as pollution in the environment. In the next phase of the research, a number of soil & underground water samples were taken from the surrounding lands of Sarkhon gas refinery for the purpose of TPH and TOG tests. The lab test results showed that the soil organic pollutants were contaminated the lands located at the north side of the refinery. In order to complete and analyze the test results, mathematical simulation was used. Based on the experimental & modeling data, it was concluded that the burn pit was the main source of soil contamination in Sarkhon region. At the present, since there is no underground water movement in the region and pollution is only transferred via gas-phase diffusion, there is no immediate risk of pollution distribution in the region. However, in case of increase in water flow rate near the burning holes, there is a high possibility for pollution distribution.

  9. Keywords:
  10. Soil ; Sarkhoon Gas Refinery ; Modeling ; Groundwater ; Organic Pollutant

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