In this work, values of hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient and retardation factor, for zinc, manganese and cadmium in a mature Oxisol (horizon B) determined through the traditional and the cumulative mass approaches of column tests are compared. A computer program, which uses an optimization procedure, was developed to facilitate the interpretation of the results obtained from cumulative mass approach. The transport parameter values obtained in this work were not affected by the determination methodology employed, even when a reduced number of effluent samples were used for the cumulative mass approach. The use of the cumulative mass method, based on a reduced number of pore volumes, in the determination of transport parameters, reduces time and costs involved in tests.
hydrodynamic dispersion coefficient; retardation factor; column test; cumulative mass approach
