MODELING OF HEAVY-METAL TRANSPORT IN A CONTAMINATED SOIL

Observed depth profiles in soils polluted by Zn and Cu that originate from a metal smelter are quantitatively interpreted by combining the p roduction history of the smelter with established transport models. Us ing independent laboratory and field data, we were able to calculate t he present depth profiles semiquantitatively by applying the pure conv ection model without parameter fitting. The agreement of the calculate d depth profiles with the experimental data can be improved by includi ng dispersion effects in the convection-dispersion model or the stocha stic convection model. For the latter model, the depth profiles were c alculated analytically. These models were used to calculate the expect ed depth profiles in the future and to judge possible remediation stra tegies.