Application of the Green-Ampt-Mein-Larson infiltration model to taconite tailings

Experimental results show that the coarse and medium fractions of the tailings material have porosities which are much higher than that of natural soils of similar particle size resulting in higher internal drainage and higher infiltration capacities. The finer fractions have high bulk densities with low infiltration capacities. The W.H.Green-G.Ampt-R.G.Mein-C.L.Larson (GAML) model predicted infiltration rates and infiltrated volumes with reasonable accuracy under the experimental conditions studied. The model is quite sensitive to the degree of saturation encountered under field conditions. However, this can be estimated depending on material size and properties. Best agreement between observed and predicted infiltration was obtained when the model was 'fitted' using degree of saturation as the fitting parameter. The model should prove to be a valuable tool for predicting runoff and seepage from such materials.