Hydraulic Conductivity of Compacted Clay to Dilute Organic Chemicals

Four organic chemicals over a range of concentrations were permeated through compacted specimens of kaolinite and illite‐chlorite. Permeability tests were performed in both rigid and flexible‐wall permeameters. Soil index tests were modified for use in evaluating the effect an organic waste may have on clay. Results of the investigation showed that dilute organic chemicals (less than 80% by volume in an aqueous solution) have little effect on the hydraulic conductivity (permeability) of compacted clay. The modified index tests showed good correlation to the degree with which an organic liquid affects the hydraulic conductivity of the compacted clay.