Unsaturated Zone Hydrology For Scientists And Engineers

Introduction and bief history; Physical properties and characteristics of soils; Behavior of clay-water systems; Potential and thermodynamics of soil water; Chemical properties and principles of soil water; Principles of water flow in soil; Saturated water flow in soil; Unsaturated water flow in soil; Transport of heat and gas in osil and at the surface; Contaminant transport; Effects of infiltration and drainage on soil-water redistribution; Applied soil physics: modeling water, solute, and vapor movement. Drainage in soil water and ground water; Soil remediation techniques; Saptial variability, scaling, and fractals; Appendix 1: Site characterizaton and monitoring devices; Appendix 2: Mathematics review; Appendix 3: tables; References; Index.

Using a quantitative modeling approach, this volume offers a comprehensive exploration of the movement of water in the unsaturated zone (and associated transport phenomena) – the pathway of many contaminants to the saturated zone where much of the world's potable water is stored. It is the first book to combine research and knowledge on this subject from a wide variety of disciplines into a single source directed toward engineering and environmental training and applications. Deals with contaminant and heat transport in the unsaturated zone; includes a description of soils and their properties and unsaturated soil hydraulic properties; describes unsaturated zone processes; and thoroughly explores numerical modeling and uncertainty in modeling. A text for students in engineering and environmental science, and a reference for practicing engineers and scientists involved in the analysis of unsaturated zone contaminant problems.

Vadose Zone Hydrology describes the elements of the physical processes most often encountered by hydrogeologists and ground-water engineers in their vadose zone projects. It illustrates the application of soil physics to practical problems relevant to the characterization and monitoring of the vadose zone. It includes an introduction to physical processes, including basic flow theory, and provides examples of important field-scale processes that must be recognizable by hydrogeologists. Considerable attention is given to the concepts of recharge, including how it is most accurately evaluated in the vadose zone. Field and laboratory methods for characterizing hydraulic properties in the vadose zone are also covered, and case studies illustrating these methods are provided. New and emerging technologies for monitoring the vadose zone, particularly for the purpose of detecting contaminants, are highlighted. In the last section of the book, additional case studies are presented, demonstrating applications related to seepage detection, landfill monitoring, and soil gas investigations. This book is written from the perspective of hydrogeologists and is designed to be directly applicable and to maintain continuity and consistency between chapters. It will be an invaluable primer for environmental or geotechnical consultants, regulators, or students who have no prior formal academic training in unsaturated flow concepts. Because the text contains some of the latest advances in this field, it will be an excellent reference for geologists and engineers currently working on problems of vadose zone hydrology.

Mankind has manipulated the quantity and quality of soil water for millennia. Food production was massively increased through fertilization, irrigation and drainage. But malpractice also caused degradation of immense areas of once fertile land, rendering it totally unproductive for many generations. In populated areas, the pollutant load ever more often exceeds the soil’s capacity for buffering and retention, and large volumes of potable groundwater have been polluted or are threatened to be polluted in the foreseeable future. In the past decades, the role of soil water in climate patterns has been recognized but not yet fully understood. The soil-science community responded to this diversity of issues by developing numerical models to simulate the behavior of water and solutes in soils. These models helped improve our understanding of unsaturated-zone processes and develop sustainable land-management practices. Aimed at professional soil scientists, soil-water modelers, irrigation engineers etc., this book discusses our progress in soil-water modeling. Top scientists present case studies, overviews and analyses of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats related to soil-water modeling. The contributions cover a wide range of spatial scales, and discuss fundamental aspects of unsaturated-zone modeling as well as issues related to the application of models to real-world problems.

This book is written in a simple, straightforward manner without complicated mathematical derivatives. Compiled by experienced practitioners, this guide covers topics such as basic principles of vadose zone hydrology and prevalent monitoring techniques. Case studies present actual field experiences for the benefit of the reader. The Handbook provides practitioners with the information they need to fully understand the principles, advantages, and limitations of the monitoring techniques that are available. The Handbook of Vadose Zone Characterization & Monitoring expands and consolidates the useful and succint information contained in various ASTM documents, EPA manuals, and other similar texts on the subject, making it an invaluable aid to new practioners and a useful reference for seasoned veterans in the field.

This book is written in a simple, straightforward manner without complicated mathematical derivatives. Compiled by experienced practitioners, this guide covers topics such as basic principles of vadose zone hydrology and prevalent monitoring techniques. Case studies present actual field experiences for the benefit of the reader. The Handbook provides practitioners with the information they need to fully understand the principles, advantages, and limitations of the monitoring techniques that are available. The Handbook of Vadose Zone Characterization & Monitoring expands and consolidates the useful and succint information contained in various ASTM documents, EPA manuals, and other similar texts on the subject, making it an invaluable aid to new practioners and a useful reference for seasoned veterans in the field.

A synthesis of years of interdisciplinary research and practice, the second edition of this bestseller continues to serve as a primary resource for information on the assessment, remediation, and control of contamination on and below the ground surface. Practical Handbook of Soil, Vadose Zone, and Ground-Water Contamination: Assessment, Prevention, and Remediation, Second Edition includes important new developments in site characterization and soil and ground water remediation that have appeared since 1995. Presented in an easy-to-read style, this book serves as a comprehensive guide for conducting complex site investigations and identifying methods for effective soil and ground water cleanup. Remediation engineers, ground water and soil scientists, regulatory personnel, researchers, and field investigators can access the latest data and summary tables to illustrate key advantages and disadvantages of various remediation methods.