Grantee Research Project Results
2007 Progress Report: Agglomeration, Retention, and Transport Behavior of Manufactured Nanoparticles in Variably-Saturated Porous Media
EPA Grant Number: R833318Title: Agglomeration, Retention, and Transport Behavior of Manufactured Nanoparticles in Variably-Saturated Porous Media
Investigators: Jin, Yan , Xiao, John
Institution: University of Delaware
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: March 1, 2007 through February 28, 2011
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 1, 2006 through August 31,2007
Project Amount: $399,035
RFA: Exploratory Research: Nanotechnology Research Grants Investigating Environmental and Human Health Effects of Manufactured Nanomaterials: a Joint Research Solicitation-EPA, NSF, NIOSH, NIEHS (2006) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Nanotechnology , Safer Chemicals
Objective:
Approach:
We will use TiO2 and Fe nanoparticles as models representing two major categories of nanoparticles that have been used or have the potential to be used in large quantities commercially. Agglomeration of nanoparticles will be evaluated in batch experiments by dynamic light scattering. Transport and potential transformation will be studied with a series of laboratory column experiments using model sand of various surface properties. Sorption and reaction models will be combined with transport models to describe the transport experiments quantitatively. An innovative approach of using confocal microscopy to visualize and analyze particle-particle and particle-interface interactions in micromodels will provide resolution high enough to reveal detailed particle arrangement in bulk solution and at interfaces to elucidate the mechanisms involved in particle attachment and retention at the pore scale.
Progress Summary:
Expected Results:
The proposed project integrates experiments across disciplines (environmental soil physics/hydrology and physics/material science) and scales (column, batch, and pore scale). The results of the proposed study will lead to better understanding of particle-particle and particle-interface interactions at the microscopic level, as well as particle agglomeration, retention, and movement in porous media under various chemical (pH, ionic strength, presence of dissolved humic material) and physical (variable water content) conditions at macroscopic scale. We expect to provide conclusive evidence about the conditions under which transport of NPs is expected and the quantitative magnitude of the process. Such information will contribute to the overall understanding of how nanomaterials interact with the natural environment and provide scientific basis for determining exposure pathways and developing exposure guidelines, which is the first element in risk assessment to quantify potential human health effects.
Future Activities:
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 15 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.