The aim of this study was to determine the influence of potentially toxic metals, such as Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions, on the microstructural parameters of bentonites and their hydraulic conductivity (K), calculated based on the empirical formulas for clays according to Hazen-Tkaczukowa (formula 1 based on granulometric parameters) and Kozłowski et al., (2011) (formula 2 based on microstructural parameters). Metal ions influence the microstructure changes of bentonites, which can lead to changes in the geotechnical parameters that are used in empirical K formulas. The research was carried out on model clays (SWy-3, Stx-1b and Slovak bentonite), which were modified by introducing Cu2+ or Zn2+ ions into the structure. A significant dependence was observed between an increase in the Cu2+ ion content in clay and an increase in the pore area. Therefore, the value of the hydraulic conductivity was estimated with the use of formula 2, which proved to be a useful tool for determining hydraulic conductivity in the case of bentonites contaminated with Cu2+ ions. In contrast, the effect of Zn2+ ions on the granulometric parameters was significant, and formula 1 proved to be useful tool for determining hydraulic conductivity in the case of bentonites contaminated with Zn2+ ions. The results showed that the behavior of bentonites saturated with Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions differed. Therefore, the authors believe that the empirical formulas of the hydraulic conductivity of the clays saturated with potentially toxic metals should be based on the selected clay parameters dependent upon the nature of the ion.
Keywords: Environmental science; Materials chemistry; Natural hazards; Structural engineering.