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人造纳米颗粒表面反应性的理解，以及它们对有毒重金属的流动性、循环和生物有效性的影响。在这一范围内，该研究计划将提供对人造和天然纳米颗粒的关键物理化学性质的更好理解。主要目标将是确定制造的纳米颗粒的化学成分和结构如何决定它们的迁移和化学反应能力，以及这些与它们在各种外部压力下的稳定性之间的关系。了解环境中纳米颗粒生物利用度的可能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，如大小、尺寸分布、形状、结构、微结构、组成和均匀性，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与颗粒本身有关，还是与其表面负载的物质有关。长期目标是评估胶体/纳米颗粒的行为及其对水生生物和生态环境健康的影响。我的项目最初将专注于两个定义的系统，即氧化锌和二氧化钛。这项工作将为正在进行的其他纳米粒子系统的研究以及这些粒子对环境中金属行为的影响提供一个强有力的理论框架。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、稳定性和传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.