Transport of silver nanoparticles in single fractured sandstone

• Published in: Journal of contaminant hydrology 2018-02, Vol.209, p.61-67
• Main Author: Neukum, Christoph
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Engineered Ag nanoparticles; Field flow fractionation; Groundwater - chemistry; Hydrology - methods; Metal Nanoparticles - analysis; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Porosity; Silver - analysis; Silver - chemistry; Single-fractured sandstone; Transport; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry
• ISSN: 0169-7722; 1873-6009
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2018.01.007

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP) are used in various consumer products and are one of the most prevalent metallic nanoparticle in commodities and are released into the environment. Transport behavior of Ag-NP in groundwater is one important aspect for the assessment of environmental impact and protection of drinking water resources in particular. Ag-NP transport processes in saturated single-fractured sandstones using triaxial flow cell experiments with different kind of sandstones is investigated. Ag-NP concentration and size are analyzed using flow field-flow fractionation and coupled SEM-EDX analysis. Results indicate that Ag-NP are more mobile and show generally lower attachment on rock surface compared to experiments in undisturbed sandstone matrix and partially fractured sandstones. Ag-NP transport is controlled by the characteristics of matrix porosity, time depending blocking of attachment sites and solute chemistry. Where Ag-NP attachment occur, it is heterogeneously distributed on the fracture surface. •Ag-NP transport in fractured sandstone is less subject to attachment than in intact sandstone.•Ag-NP transport is controlled by porosity, time-depending blocking, solute chemistry.•Ag-NP attachment is heterogeneously distributed on fracture surfaces.•Environmental impact can be more pronounced compared to intact sandstone.