Dissolution-induced contact angle modification in dense nonaqueous phase liquid/water systems.

The contact angle between DNAPL, water, and aquifer material interfaces influences the spatial distribution of DNAPLs as they infiltrate into the aquifer, and may ultimately influence their remediation. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of dissolution on contact angle. Just as physically retracting a sessile drop reduces its contact angle with a surface, it was speculated that dissolution could cause contact angles to be reduced. Long-term dissolution experiments were conducted over the course of days to weeks, examining the dissolution of sessile drops of two DNAPLs, trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE), in water and low concentration surfactant solutions, on glass surfaces. Experiments found that dissolution led to a continuous decrease of contact angle measured through the DNAPL drop, in most cases to near 0 degrees, far lower than angles achievable through measurements of receding contact angles for the same systems. Pinning of drop contact diameter was observed in most experiments. A model developed on the basis of the Bashforth-Adams equation to predict the effect of dissolution on contact angle for drops with a pinned contact diameter showed very good agreement with experimental observations.