Capture and release zones of permeable reactive barriers under the influence of advective–dispersive transport in the aquifer

• We consider advective–dispersive transport near permeable reactive barriers (PRB).
• Conformal mapping is used to map solutions of the advection–dispersion equation.
• Effective macro-dispersivity incorporates effects of aquifer heterogeneity.
• PRB capture and release behavior is determined as a function of macro-dispersivity.
• Capture efficiency decreases with lateral and longitudinal distance from PRB.

The problem of permeable reactive barrier (PRB) capture and release behavior is investigated by means of an approximate analytical approach exploring the invariance of steady-state solutions of the advection–dispersion equation to conformal mapping. PRB configurations considered are doubly-symmetric funnel-and-gate as well as less frequent drain-and-gate systems. The effect of aquifer heterogeneity on contaminant plume spreading is hereby incorporated through an effective transverse macro-dispersion coefficient, which has to be known. Results are normalized and graphically represented in terms of a relative capture efficiency M of contaminant mass or groundwater passing a control plane (transect) at a sufficient distance up-stream of a PRB as to comply with underlying assumptions. Factors of safety FS are given as the ratios of required capture width under advective–dispersive and purely advective transport for achieving equal capture efficiency M. It is found that M also applies to the release behavior down-stream of a PRB, i.e., it describes the spreading and dilution of PRB treated groundwater possibly containing incompletely remediated contamination and/or remediation reaction products. Hypothetical examples are given to demonstrate results.