Measuring soil pollution parameters with radiotracers

An alternative method has been proposed and performed to determine the relevant soil parameters - such as dispersivity and distribution coefficient - related to the use of a tract of land for a toxic waste repository. The method makes use of radioactive tracers and a geotechnical centrifuge to accelerate relevant migration processes. A few soil types and tracers have been employed. Experimental data were then compared to those predicted by the advection-dispersion equation. Preliminary results indicate that this alternative method is useful for the determination of the above parameters, especially when fine soils are involved. (author)