An analytical modeling approach for evaluation of capping of contaminated sediments

An analytical design tool is developed to predict performance of a cap for containment of contaminated sediments. Transient conditions within a cap can be modeled by advection, diffusion, and reaction within the typically homogeneous chemical isolation layer for which analytical models exist. After contaminant penetration of the chemical isolation layer, a steady state model is proposed that incorporates pore water advection and diffusion, sediment erosion and deposition, sediment re-working and pore water pumping via bioturbation, and reaction. The steady state model allows the complexities of the biologically active layer to be considered while maintaining an analytical form for convenient and rapid evaluation. In this paper, the model framework, behavior, and limitations are presented.