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Field Investigation of Effect of Plants on Cracks of Compacted Clay Covers at a Contaminated Site

Author

Listed:
  • Yu-Zhang Bi

    (Laboratory of Urban Underground Engineering & Environmental Safety, Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China)

  • Xian-Lei Fu

    (Laboratory of Urban Underground Engineering & Environmental Safety, Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
    School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore)

  • Shi-Ji Zhou

    (Laboratory of Urban Underground Engineering & Environmental Safety, Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China)

  • Jin Ni

    (Laboratory of Urban Underground Engineering & Environmental Safety, Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China)

  • Yan-Jun Du

    (Laboratory of Urban Underground Engineering & Environmental Safety, Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China)

Abstract

Compacted clay covers (CCCs) are effective in restricting the upward migration of volatile organic compound (VOC) and semi-volatile organic compound (SVOC) vapors released mainly from unsaturated contaminated soils and hence mitigate the risks to human health. Desiccation cracking of CCCs would result in numerous preferential channels. VOC or SVOC vapors can prefereially migrate through the cracks and emit into the atmosphere, exposing threats to human health and surrounding environmental acceptors. This study presented results of comprehensive field investigation of desiccation crack distribution in CCCs, where four herbaceous plants were covered at the industrial contaminated site in. The plants included Trefoil , Bermuda grass , Conyza Canadensis , and Paspalum , and the corresponding planting areas were labeled as S1, S2, S3, and S4, respectively. The quantity and geometry parameters of the cracks including crack width, depth, and length, were investigated. The results showed that the cracks of the CCCs were mainly distributed in the areas of S3 ( Conyza Canadensis ) and S4 (Paspalum ), where more cracks were formed when the degree of compaction (DOC) of the CCCs was less than 87%. In addition, the results revealed that: (1) no cracks were found in the area S1 ( Trefoil ); (2) the quantity, average width, average depth, average length, and maximal length of the cracks in the investigated areas followed S4 ( Paspalum ) > S3 ( Conyza Canadensis ) > S2 ( Bermuda grass ); (3) the maximal crack length in the area S2 ( Bermuda grass ) was the shortest, which was approximately one-seventh and one-eighth of those in the areas S3 ( Conyza Canadensis ) and S4 ( Paspalum ), respectively; and (4) the maximal width and depth of the cracks followed S3 ( Conyza Canadensis ) > S4 ( Paspalum ) > S2 ( Bermuda grass ).

Suggested Citation

  • Yu-Zhang Bi & Xian-Lei Fu & Shi-Ji Zhou & Jin Ni & Yan-Jun Du, 2022. "Field Investigation of Effect of Plants on Cracks of Compacted Clay Covers at a Contaminated Site," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-17, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:12:p:7248-:d:837931
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    Cited by:

    1. Xin-Po Sun & Ze-Hao Ding & Yu-Zhang Bi & Xin-Yi Wang, 2022. "Water-Holding Properties of Clinoptilolite/Sodium Polyacrylate-Modified Compacted Clay Cover of Tailing Pond," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-20, November.

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