Preliminary investigation of pollutant transport through homogeneous porous media and its application in the evaluation of water quality

Abstract

Abstract Laboratory experiments are used to investigate the transport behavior of tracer particles such as fluoride through homogeneous porous media. These tracers were preferred as reactive pollutants during the investigation process, since fluorides constitute a significant proportion of water. A three-dimensional rectangular tank filled with porous soil media is part of the laboratory setup. In the lab, preliminary geotechnical estimation will be performed to determine the physical characteristics of the soil media and the chemical estimation of the fluoride tracers using the SPADNS method using a HACH DR 6000 spectrophotometer. The effluent concentration obtained after transporting the tracers through porous media was tested in the laboratory to study the solute breakthrough characteristics. The experimental data of the observed breakthrough curves are simulated using a standard advection dispersion equation, and the proposed model effectively simulates the concentration peaks. The water analysis report was also carried out for the Sanganer Block of Jaipur District (Rajasthan), in which a parametric study is performed at the regional level to examine the water quality standards. According to the WHO recommendations for health and environmental aspects, the fluoride tracer must be kept within the permitted limit of 1.5 ppm. The results obtained show that the concentration of fluorides is above the Sheodaspura region, thus requiring immediate removal of fluorides to its recommended limit.