Geochemical controls on molecular scale processes effecting the environment

我的研究计划的总体目标是提高我们对制造的纳米颗粒的表面反应性及其对有毒重金属的流动性，循环和生物利用度的影响的理解。在此范围内的研究计划将提供制造和天然纳米颗粒的关键物理化学性质的更好的理解。主要目标将是确定所制造的纳米颗粒的化学组成和结构如何决定它们的迁移和化学反应性，以及这些如何与它们在各种外部应力下的稳定性相关。了解纳米颗粒在环境中生物利用度可能产生的有害影响的第一步是确定它们在这些环境中的反应性和长期或短期稳定性。颗粒属性，如尺寸、尺寸分布、形状、结构、微观结构、成分和均匀性，对于确定此类材料对健康和环境的潜在影响至关重要。此外，我们还需要确定环境毒性是否与颗粒本身有关，或者是颗粒表面负载的一个因素。 长期目标将评估胶体/纳米颗粒对水生生物群和生态环境健康的行为和影响。 最初，我的计划将集中在两个定义的系统，即ZnO和TiO 2。这项工作将为正在进行的其他纳米颗粒系统的研究以及这些颗粒对环境中金属行为的影响提供强有力的理论框架。这项研究计划将全面了解制造的纳米颗粒和胶体在环境中的反应性，稳定性和运输方面的物理化学性质。

The overall goal of my research program is to improve our understanding of the surface reactivity of manufactured nanoparticles and their influence on the mobility, cycling, and bioavailability of toxic heavy metals. Within this scope the research program will provide an improved understanding of the critical physicochemical properties of manufactured and natural nano-particulates. The principle objective will be to determine how the chemical composition and structure of manufactured nanoparticles determines their migration and chemical reactivity, and how these relate to their stability under various external stresses. The first step in understanding the possible deleterious effects of bioavailability of nanoparticles in the environment is to establish what their reactivity and long or short term stability is in these environments. Particle attributes like size, size distribution, shape, structure, microstructure, composition, and homogeneity are critically important to determining the potential impact of such materials on health and the environment. In addition we need to determine whether environmental toxicity is related to the particles themselves or is a factor of what is loaded onto their surfaces.  The long-term goals will asses the behavior and influence of colloids/nanoparticles on environmental health of aquatic biota and ecology.  Initially, my program will focus on two defined systems, namely ZnO and TiO2. This work will provide a strong theoretical framework for ongoing studies of other nanoparticle systems and the influence that these particles have on metal behavior in the environment. This research initiative will provide a comprehensive understanding of the physicochemical properties of manufactured nanoparticles and colloids with respect to reactivity, stability and transport in the environment.