You are here:
Modeling the Fate and Transport of Two Nanometal Oxides in the Merrimack River
Citation:
Ross, B. AND Chris Knightes. Modeling the Fate and Transport of Two Nanometal Oxides in the Merrimack River. New England Estuarine Research Society Fall Meeting 2022, Providence, RI, November 17 - 19, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
The production of nanomaterials has increased dramatically over the past decades. With increased production, there has been increased released into the environment. Two nanomaterials, nano copper oxide and nano zinc oxide are of particular interest because of their common use in cosmetics and antifouling products. This work investigates the release of these nanomaterials into the Merrimack River, which passes through rural and urban environments and then transitions from a freshwater river into an estuary before ending in the Atlantic Ocean. This work serves to improve our understand of the concentrations of these two nanomaterials in the water column and sediments along the length of the Merrimack River and the potential for impact on aquatic organisms.
Description:
The production and use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have dramatically increased over the past several decades. Nanometals, such as nano copper oxide (nanoCuO) and nano zinc oxide (nanoZnO), are of particular concern for ecosystems. NanoCuO and nanoZnO are frequently used in cosmetics and antifouling products. Once released to the environment, nanoCuO and nanoZnO can dissolve to produce Cu2+ and Zn2+, respectively, both of which can be toxic to aquatic organisms. In this study, we used the Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP, version 8.4) to investigate the fate and transport of nanometals and their dissolution products in the Merrimack River (MA and NH, USA). The Merrimack River passes through urban watersheds and contains both freshwater and estuarine portions. We simulated nanoCuO and nanoZnO concentrations resulting from wastewater treatment plant discharge into the river. Through this study, we hope to further an understanding of the implications of nanoCuO and nanoZnO release in an estuarine environment.
