Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-n9wrp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-16T17:01:28.056Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Aqueous Diffusion Coefficients in Unsaturated Materials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2011

James L. Conca
Affiliation:
Washington State University Tri-Cities, 100 Sprout Rd, Richland, WA 99352
Judith Wright
Affiliation:
Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Mail Stop K6–84, Richland, WA 99352.
Get access

Abstract

Simple diffusion coefficients, D(θ), in most unsaturated media were found to be primarily a function of water content and not material characteristics except where the characteristics affect or determine water content. At high water contents, D(θ) gradually declines as water content decreases, from 10−5 cm2/sec at a volumetric water content of about 50% to 10−7 cm2/sec at a volumetric water content of about 5%, followed by a sharp decline as surface water films become thin and discontinuous and pendular water elements become very small, from 10−7 cm2/sec at a volumetric water content of about 5% to 10−9 cm2/sec at a volumetric water content of about 0.5% to 1%.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Pigford, T. H. and Chambré, P. L., Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 112, 125141 (1988).Google Scholar
2. Conca, J. L. and Wright, J., Water Res. Research 26, 10551066 (1990).Google Scholar
3. Geddes, L. A., DaCosta, C. and Wise, G., Med. B. Eng. 9, 511521, (1971).Google Scholar
4. Miller, D. G., Estimation of tracer diffusion coefficients of ions in aqueous solution UCRL-53319, Lawr. Liver. Nat. Lab., Livermore, CA (1972).Google Scholar
5. Bresler, E., McNeal, B. L. and Carter, D. L., Saline and Sodic Soils, (Springer-Verlag, New York, 1982).Google Scholar
6. Wright, J., Proceedings of the First International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference 1, 835842 (1990).Google Scholar
7. Robinson, R. A. and Stokes, R. H., Electrolyte Solutions, 2nd ed., Butterworths, London, (1959).Google Scholar
8. Conca, J. L., Proceedings of the First International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference 1, 394401 (1990).Google Scholar
9. Albinsson, Y. and Engkvist, I., SKB Technical Report 89–22, Stockholm, Sweden (1989).Google Scholar
10. Relyea, J. F., Trott, D. P., Mclntyre, C. V. and Rieger, C. G., Nuclear Technology 74, 317323 (1986).Google Scholar