Assessing the transport of iron oxide nanoparticles in a large-scale 3D model aquifer
- Author(s)
- Milica Velimirovic, Doris Schmid, Vesna Micic Batka, Frank von der Kammer, Thilo Hofmann
- Abstract
In the framework of the research project NanoRem (FP7 - G. A. Nr. 309517) the possibility of using iron oxide nanoparticles (FeOxNPs) in remediation of real field sites by characterizing the transport of FeOxNPs in a large-scale three-dimensional (3D) model aquifer was investigated. Therefore, different complementary methods for detection, quantification and transport characterization of FeOxNPs were evaluated.
Batch-scale experiments were performed in order to elucidate the potential of the complementary methods for direct and indirect characterization and detection of FeOxNPs. Direct methods included measurements of particle size distribution, particle concentration, Fetot content and turbidity of the FeOxNPs suspension. Indirect methods included measurements of particle zeta potential, as well as TOC content and pH of the FeOxNp suspension. The results of the batch experiments indicated that the most suitable approach for detecting and quantifying FeOxNPs was measuring Fetot content and suspension turbidity, as well as particle size determined using dynamic light scattering principle.
Best performing complementary detection methods were further applied in a 3D large-scale study containing medium and coarse sand in order to 1) assess the transport of FeOxNPs in saturated porous medium during injection (VFeOx = 6 m3, cparticle = 20 g/L, Qinj = 0.7 m3/h), and 2) illustrate their spatial distribution after the injection. Monitoring data including Fetot content, turbidity and particle size revealed the transport of particles towards to high permeability zone creating a radius of influence of 2 m. Finally, the results of the large-scale 3D study have shown that delivering of the FeOxNPs to the contaminant zone is feasible.- Organisation(s)
- Publication date
- 2016
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 104023 Environmental chemistry, 104002 Analytical chemistry, 105906 Environmental geosciences, 210004 Nanomaterials
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/assessing-the-transport-of-iron-oxide-nanoparticles-in-a-largescale-3d-model-aquifer(aba1b612-0eab-4243-a360-e63272196ace).html