Processes Governing Hydrocarbon Movement in Heterogenous Soils

Groundwater contamination by hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline and diesel fuel is a serious threat to the environment and human health. Sources of this contamination include leaking underground storage tanks, pipleline breaks, tanker truck accidents and train derailments. There is a need for improved understanding of the mobility of hydrocarbon fuels in the subsurface to allow more accurate risk assessment and design of more effective remediation schemes. This project will involve a field study and computer modelling study to develop new guidelines for managing sites contaminated with hydrocarbon fuels.

Faculty Supervisor:

Brent Sleep

Student:

Shu Xu

Partner:

ARCADIS Canada

Discipline:

Engineering - civil

Sector:

Natural resources

University:

University of Toronto