Retention of three heavy metals (Zn, Pb, and Cd) in a calcareous soil controlled by the modification of flow with geotextiles

Although geotextiles are increasingly employed in stormwater infiltration basins, their influence on the flow and transfer of contaminants, such as heavy metals, has not been fully investigated. Leaching column experiments were conducted to characterize the flow and transfer of three heavy metals (zinc, lead, and cadmium) in a calcareous soil with and without geotextiles under steady-state flow and close to saturation forthe soil. The influence of geotextiles was characterized for two types of geotextiles (needlepunched and thermosealed) and for two different initial saturation degrees for the needlepunched geotextile. The main results showed that, when placed wet, the needlepunched geotextile had no influence. When placed dry, it homogenized the flow in its surroundings and thus allowed better contact between heavy metals and the reactive soil, resulting in an increase of their retention. The thermosealed geotextile, placed dry, homogenized the flow and increased retention over a larger area, resulting in optimal global retention. In conclusion, geotextiles could be used in infiltration basins, provided that their effect on both flow and heavy metal retention is optimized by appropriate design--choice of geotextiles--and appropriate monitoring--control of hydric conditions.