Characterization of mineral nanoparticles in dust and colloids

这项环境地球科学研究的目标是将微小的矿物颗粒表征为空气中的粉尘和水中的胶体。重点将放在含有砷和铅等潜在危险元素的颗粒物上，目的是澄清对人类和生态健康的风险。关于这些材料如何在环境中移动的研究一直很有限。就人体健康而言，直接摄入或吸入微小矿物质颗粒可能会对健康产生负面影响，这取决于粉尘颗粒中金属的化学形态。在生态影响方面，风尘可能是金属从点源向地表水迁移的重要机制，胶体颗粒可以随地下水移动，造成金属污染。

The objective of this environmental earth science research is to characterize tiny mineral particles which are transported as airborne dust and waterborne colloids. The emphasis will be on particles that contain potentially hazardous elements including arsenic and lead, with the aim of clarifying the risk to human and ecological health. There has been limited research on how these materials move in the environment. In terms of human health, direct ingestion or inhalation of tiny mineral particles can lead to negative health effects which depend on the chemical form of the metal in the dust particles. In terms of ecological impact, windblown dust may be an important mechanism of metal transport from a point source to surface water, and colloidal particles can move with groundwater and contribute to metal contamination.