Salt tracer experiment through an embankment dam

In this study, inorganic sodium nitrate salt (NaNo3) was used as the tracer and BX2 piezometer was selected as an injection point and 10 other piezometers were selected as sampling points. After conducting the tracer test and sampling from piezometers and transferring all samples to the laboratory, the electrical conductivity of the samples was measured. After analyzing the results, two possible routes were identified for the leakage from the body and abutment of Shahghasem dam. The results show that the main pathway of the leakage flow was diagnosed toward the right abutment and the reason may be due to dissolution and formation of limestone holes and karstification phenomenon. Finally, it can be concluded that the sodium nitrate as tracer moved in the body and abutment of Shahghasem dam and was not adsorb by clay and silt materials; therefore, it is suggested for future tracer works.

Automated summary

In this study, inorganic sodium nitrate salt was used as a tracer to identify possible leakage routes in Shahghasem dam. The results indicated that the main pathway of leakage flow was towards the right abutment, possibly due to dissolution and formation of limestone holes and karstification phenomenon. It was concluded that sodium nitrate as a tracer moved through the dam without being adsorbed by clay and silt materials, suggesting its effectiveness for future tracer works.