Jump to main content
US EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Search
Search
Main menu
Environmental Topics
Laws & Regulations
About EPA
Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)
Contact Us
Print
Feedback
Export to File
Search:
This record has one attached file:
Add More Files
Attach File(s):
Display Name for File*:
Save
Citation
Tags
HERO ID
809087
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Soil mixing depth after atmospheric deposition. I. Model development and validation
Author(s)
Drivas, P; Bowers, T; Yamartino, R
Year
2011
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Atmospheric Environment
ISSN:
1352-2310
EISSN:
1873-2844
Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Location
OXFORD
Volume
45
Issue
25
Page Numbers
4133-4140
Number of Pages
8
Language
English
DOI
10.1016/j.atmosenv.2011.05.029
Web of Science Id
WOS:000293107600002
Abstract
Abstract: Knowledge of a soil mixing depth, or the migration depth of various pollutants in soil, is necessary to assess the soil chemical concentration resulting from atmospheric deposition of a specific air emission source. A mathematical model has been developed that describes the depth and time behavior of the soil concentration of an inert chemical after atmospheric deposition on surfaces. The soil mixing model is based on one-dimensional diffusion theory, and analytic solutions have been derived for the cases of: (1) instantaneous surface deposition; (2) continuous surface deposition; and (3) a finite period of continuous surface deposition, followed by a deposition-free time period. Comparisons of the model with measured soil depth profiles resulting from atmospheric deposition showed good agreement for lead, cesium, and dioxins. The best-fit effective diffusion coefficients in undisturbed soils varied from 0.5cm
2
yr
−1
to 2cm
2
yr
−1
. The soil mixing depth was found to be a strong function of the atmospheric deposition time period. Calculated soil mixing depths in undisturbed soils were 2cm after one year, 5cm after five years, and 10cm after 20 years of continuous atmospheric deposition on the soil surface.
Keywords
SOILS -- Composition;ATMOSPHERIC deposition;SOIL pollution;EMISSIONS (Air pollution);SOILS -- Lead content;CESIUM;DIOXINS;MATHEMATICAL models;SOIL depth
Month
08
Home
Learn about HERO
Using HERO
Search HERO
Projects in HERO
Risk Assessment
Transparency & Integrity