Upward capillary leaching

The solution moves upward from the water table to the surface via capillaries in the vadose zone, and the water evaporates during its upward movement, resulting in the concentration and deposition of metal salts. In this study, laboratory experiments using a special set-up show that water-soluble metal compounds can be directionally redistributed in a column. Flotation tailings from the Norilsk industrial region were packed into the laboratory column, and drinking water was employed as the leaching agent. The kinetics of the upward solution flow through the column capillaries were investigated. Elemental redistribution in the column aeration zone was confirmed by geochemical analysis.