Transport and mobilization of engineered nanoparticles in the vadose zone and groundwater

工程纳米粒子在包气带和地下水中的运输和动员

• 批准号: 402815-2012
• 负责人: Cheng, Tao
• 金额: $ 2.04万
• 依托单位: Memorial University of Newfoundland
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2014-01-01 至 2015-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=551015
• 关键词: Transport; mobilization; engineered; nanoparticles; vadose

The increased use of engineered nanomaterials in the past few decades has resulted in release of engineered nanoparticles to subsurface environments. Many engineered nanoparticles are highly reactive and can cause extensive damage to humans and other organisms. To evaluate the scope of nanoparticle contamination in soil and near-surface sediments, and the potential risk of nanoparticle contamination of groundwater aquifers that are used as drinking water sources, a better understanding of how nanoparticles are mobilized and transported in subsurface environments is essential. In the last few years, some progress has been made in understanding nanoparticle transport in groundwater (water-saturated media). However, we know little about how nanoparticles are mobilized and transported in soil and partially-saturated sediments (i.e., the vadose zone). The overall objectives of my research program is to identify the major factors that control nanoparticle mobilization and transport in the vadose zone and groundwater, and to develop a mathematical model to predict nanoparticle migration in subsurface. My short-term objectives include doing laboratory column experiments and theoretical modeling studies to: (i) examine how nanoparticle transport in uniformly-packed porous medium is influenced by porous medium type, moisture content, nanoparticle properties, and pore water flow and chemistry, and (ii) investigate the role of non-steady state flow and chemical conditions in nanoparticle mobilization. In the long term, the influence of soil texture and mineralogical components, as well as porous medium structure (e.g., macropores), will be investigated in packed columns and intact natural sediment cores. Eventually nanoparticle mobilization and transport will be studied at a number of field sites. This research will provide valuable knowledge on nanoparticle migration in subsurface environments and help address concerns over environmental risks associated with nanomaterial usage. The knowledge gained from this research will offer guidance to the Canadian government for developing proper regulations that are aimed at minimizing negative environmental impacts of nanotechnology.

在过去的几十年中，工程纳米材料的使用增加导致工程纳米颗粒释放到地下环境中。许多工程的纳米颗粒具有高度反应性，可能会对人类和其他生物造成广泛的损害。为了评估土壤和近地面沉积物中纳米颗粒污染的范围，以及用作饮用水源的地下水含水层纳米颗粒污染的潜在风险，对在地下环境中如何动员和运输纳米颗粒的更好地了解。在过去的几年中，在理解地下水中的纳米颗粒运输方面取得了一些进展（水饱和培养基）。但是，我们对如何在土壤和部分饱和的沉积物（即vadose区）中动员和运输纳米颗粒知之甚少。我的研究计划的总体目的是确定控制纳米颗粒动员和在vadose区和地下水中运输的主要因素，并开发出一种数学模型来预测地下纳米颗粒迁移。我的短期目标包括进行实验室柱实验和理论建模研究：（i）检查纳米颗粒在均匀包装的多孔培养基中如何受到多孔培养基含量，水分含量，纳米颗粒特性以及孔隙水流和化学的影响，以及（ii）研究非态状状态流动和化学条件在nanoparticle innanopartictipy中的作用。从长远来看，将在包装的柱和完整的天然沉积物核心中研究土壤纹理和矿物学成分以及多孔培养基结构（例如大孔）的影响。最终，将在许多现场地点研究纳米颗粒动员和运输。这项研究将在地下环境中提供有关纳米颗粒迁移的宝贵知识，并有助于解决对与纳米材料使用相关的环境风险的担忧。这项研究所获得的知识将为加拿大政府提供指导，以制定旨在最大程度地减少纳米技术的负面影响的适当法规。