Biochemical Properties

Workflow context
For the workflow context, see 📘 Contaminant Transport · 📘 Ch. 22 — Numerical dispersion pitfall (§22.5.3)

IGW-NET allows simulating single-species reactive fate and transport. Multiple species reactive transport transport using USGS-MT3D is also available (see Simulation Settings > Other Settings > multiple Species Model Options)

Retardation

The partition or distribution coefficient Kd relates the amount of solute sorbed on the soil to the amount of chemical that is dissolved in the water. Kd is defined as the product of the organic carbon (foc) content and, organic carbon – water partition coefficient (Koc). The coefficient is a relative measure of the hydrophobic nature of the solute. This property is very important when evaluating the fate and transport of contaminants. Typical values of foc range from 0.01 to 0.06.

Check the radio box next to ‘Retardation’ to simulate the retardation of a solute due to biochemical processes or soil:water partitioning. By default, a retardation factor of 1 is used during simulation. Update the value in the text box next to ‘Retardation Factor’, or select the radio box next to ‘Partitioning Kd:’ to use a partitioning coefficient to simulate partitioning of a solute to the solid (sorbed) phase during transport. If a soil density (g/m3) is known, check the radio box next to ‘Soil Particle Density:’ and enter the known value in the provided text box.

Reactive Decay

The radio box next to ‘First Decay:’. The rate of reaction can be controlled by assigning a first order decay coefficient (units of days-1) or a known half-life (days). For the former, select the radio button next to ‘Coefficient ‘ and enter a non-zero value in the provided text box. For the latter, select ‘Half Life’ and enter a non-zero value in the provided text box