Initial Observations of Salt Sieving in Frozen Soil
Abstract
The role of solutes in the transport of water through frozen porous media is more complicated and subtle than simply lowering the freezing point of the water. This report presents evidence that unfrozen water films in soil act as a semipermeable membrane selectively filtering solutes. The calculated film thickness at the test temperature (-O.05 deg C) indicates that all solute should pass. The additional influence of anion exclusion arising from a diffuse electrical double layer suggests that solute movement is restricted and a 'salt- sieving' process results. Experimental observations are reported for a specially designed constant-volume ice-sandwich permeameter. Proposed research for a constant-stress ice-sandwich permeameter is presented as a means of overcoming experimental uncertainties of the present system. Frozen soils, Semipermeable membranes, Salt sieving, Soils.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA286373
Entities
People
- Patrick B. Black
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory