Transformations and hydraulic captures of petrochemical contaminants in a karst-fractured aquifer

The development of a petrochemical industry may be responsible for petroche mical contamination of karst-fractured aquifers in an urban water supply sy stem. In the Dawu Well Field, a karst-fractured aquifer in Zibo City, in th e east of China, has been seriously polluted by petrochemicals from the ope ration of petrochemical plants. More than 60 species of organic contaminant s have been detected in the water supply wells of the Liuhang-Hougao zone, in the west part of Dawu Well Field. Investigations indicate that contamina nts are transported from the petrochemical plants to the karst-fractured aq uifer along karst fractures and the Jinling Fault. In the groundwater, conc entrations of pollutants vary with depth. Concentrations are greater with d epth because of the transmissibility of the Jinling fault. The local convec tive flow field has a significant influence on transportation of contaminan ts. Hydraulic barriers can prevent the transportation of contaminants and t hey can be removed by extraction.