Nonaqueous phase liquids migration

Fig. 1 Schematic illustration of slightly soluble in water dense nonaqueous phase liquid migration in the subsurface and plume formation of dissolved hydrocarbons...

Fig. 4.7 Simplified conceptual model for Light nonaqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) release and migration. Reprinted from Mercer JW, Cohen RM (1990) A review of immiscible fluids in the subsurface Properties, models, characterization, and remediation. J Contam Hydrol 6 107-163. Copyright 1990 with permission of Elsevier...

The evolution of the two-phase system may, however, be more complex. Solubilization of some hydrocarbons in the micellar aqueous phase can take place. Surfactant molecules can migrate across the water-liquid hydrocarbon interface and form structures that have been called reversed micelles, providing the surfactant concentration in the whole system is high enough to reach the critical aggregation concentration in the considered hydrocarbon solvent. Reversed micelles have an aqueous core ensuring the hydration of hydrophilic head group, whereas hydrophobic tails orient toward the nonpolar liquid. It is not our purpose to discuss surfactant behavior in nonaqueous media. 

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