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Modeling the environmental fate and transport of nanocopper in surface waters
Citation:
Ross, B. AND Chris Knightes. Modeling the environmental fate and transport of nanocopper in surface waters. North Atlantic Chapter, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 27th Annual Meeting, NA, Virtual, April 05 - 07, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
The use of nanomaterials increased dramatically over the last few decades. Nanomaterials are a group of chemicals defined by their size of 10 to 100 nanometers (or 10 to 100 one billionth of a meter). Because of their size, physical, and chemical properties, they exhibit unique properties. One such nanomaterial is nano-copper. Nano-copper is used in paints applied to boats to reduce wear and tear caused by naturally occuring bacteria in surface waters, such as lakes, rivers, streams, and estuaries. As the paint wears over time, the nano-copper is released into the water column of these water bodies. It is unclear what happens to these nanoparticles as they are released. This research aims at improving our understanding on what happens over time as these boats are used in a lake and the nano-copper wears off. To do this, this work relies on using mathematical models using computer software to predict the release of nano-copper into the water and then transforming and moving. The goal of this work is to relate the movement and transformation of nano-copper to improve our understanding of the environmental impact of the use of nano-copper paints.
Description:
The use and production of engineered nanomaterials have grown exponentially over the past few decades due to their unique properties and versatility. As a result of widespread industrial applications, nanomaterials have evolved into their own unique class of emerging contaminants ranging from metallic to carbonaceous forms. However, the full extent of nanomaterials’ impact on the environment is currently unknown. In this study, we use the Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP8) to investigate the fate, transport, and transformations of nanocopper in surface waters. Surface treatments used in aquatic environments, such as boat-bottom paints and lumber preservatives, frequently rely on nanocopper for its antifouling properties. Despite its frequent use and ionic copper’s well-known toxic effects on aquatic/benthic organisms, few studies have modelled the behavior of nanocopper in the environment. WASP8 serves as a powerful modeling framework that allows users to create dynamic, mechanistic water quality models. Using WASP8, we aim to model the variables, including dissolved organic carbon and suspended particulate matter, and processes and that govern nanocopper behavior once it is released to freshwater environments from boats coated with nanocopper bottom paint. Although we are initially targeting freshwater environments, we plan to create models that can be applied to a wide variety of aquatic environments. Results from this study may benefit research efforts to predict the toxicity of nanocopper used widely in coastal systems.
