Impacts of Pore Scale Heterogeneity on Nanoparticle Motility and Transport: A Micromodel Study
EMSL Project ID
38396
Abstract
The increasing production, application and disposal of functionalized nanomaterials will inevitably lead to wide environmental impacts. Motility and transport of nanoparticles in the subsurface environment is the focus of on-going research efforts. One particular factor that impact nanoparticle fate and transport in the subsurface environment is the physical heterogeneity of porous media. This project is aimed at elucidating the influence of porous media heterogeneity on nanoparticle motility and transport at the pore scale in model groundwater systems created in silicon wafers. Aggregate pore networks with different hydraulic conductivity ratio will be created and transport of nanoparticles functionalized for remediation of U(VI) will be investigated using fluorescence microscopy. Quantitative relationships between the rates of diffusive mass exchange and retention in low conductivity zones will be developed.
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2010-05-14
End Date
2011-05-15
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
Shang J, C Liu, Z Wang, H Wu, K Zhu, J Li, and J Liu. 2010. "In-Situ Measurements of Engineered Nanoporous Particle Transport in Saturated Porous Media." Environmental Science & Technology 44(21):8190-8195. doi:10.1021/es1015586