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Extending the diffuse layer model of surface acidity behavior: I. Model development
Citation:
LOUX, N. T. Extending the diffuse layer model of surface acidity behavior: I. Model development. CHEMICAL SPECIATION AND BIOAVAILABILITY. Science and Technology Letters, 18(3):105-116, (2006).
Impact/Purpose:
Currently there is no accurate mechanistic model applicable to all environments for predicting the partitioning behavior of ionic contaminants to natural surfaces. The absence of models of ionic contaminant partitioning impairs EPA's efforts to apply the NRC Risk Assessment Paradigm to assess aqueous ionizable contaminant exposures. This work supports efforts to develop rigorous and defensible mechanistic adsorption models.
Description:
Considerable disenchantment exists within the environmental research community concerning our current ability to accurately model surface-complexation-mediated low-porewater-concentration ionic contaminant partitioning with natural surfaces. Several authors attribute this unacceptable variation to uncertainties in our understanding of surface acidity behavior. In support of this contention, many authors are not satisfied with our ability to model surface acidity behavior in controlled, pure phase laboratory systems. The present work was designed to more closely examine the theoretical aspects of those variable energies likely to be contributing to the excess free energies associated with surface acidity behavior.