Untypical Draining Barriers Efficiency as a Method of Pollutants Limiting in the Groundwater Reservoir

Abstract

The main aim of the paper was proposal of using the draining barriers as a method of pollutants limiting in the groundwater reservoir. Primary processes of pollutants migration and examples of functioning the draining barriers work against the spread of various pollutants in the groundwater were indicated. An untypical kind of draining barrier as wells which were designed as hydrogeological borehole to exhaust water intended for consumption was selected as the research object. For analytical purposes, available archival results of physicochemical analysis of groundwater exhausted from the wells, located in the water intake so-called “belt D” in Kraków-Nowa Huta were used. The database was analysed by specialist programs, and the dispersion migration of pollutants from the existing metallurgical waste dump “Ruszcza” in time were presented. Temporary and spatial variability of physicochemical parameters of groundwater was done during the analysis. The analysis was done both in the draining barriers wells and in the intake boreholes. A geostatistical analysis of the variability of pollutant spread in the groundwater medium was a vital factor in appraisal efficiency of the draining barriers’ work. It was shown that the highest contents of the researched substances were present in the wells, which are located the nearest of metallurgical waste dump “Ruszcza” and are thereby the wells co-making draining barriers. The draining barriers efficiency was found after the thorough analysis.

Keywords

• pollution
• groundwater
• Pumping
• draining barrier