Effects of nanometer alumina and humic acid on the retention and transport of hexavalent chromium in porous media

Ming Wu; Huihui Cao; Guoping Lu; Bill X. Hu; Zhou Cheng; Cehui Mo; Jianfeng Wu; Jichun Wu

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety (Dec 2021)

Effects of nanometer alumina and humic acid on the retention and transport of hexavalent chromium in porous media

Ming Wu,
Huihui Cao,
Guoping Lu,
Bill X. Hu,
Zhou Cheng,
Cehui Mo,
Jianfeng Wu,
Jichun Wu

Affiliations

Ming Wu: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Department of Hydrosciences, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Key Laboratory of Surficial Geochemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Huihui Cao: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
Guoping Lu: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
Bill X. Hu: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, China; Corresponding author at: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
Zhou Cheng: Guangdong Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, Guangzhou 510045, China; Corresponding author.
Cehui Mo: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
Jianfeng Wu: Department of Hydrosciences, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Key Laboratory of Surficial Geochemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
Jichun Wu: Department of Hydrosciences, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Key Laboratory of Surficial Geochemistry, Ministry of Education, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 228
p. 113005

Abstract

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Column experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of ion type, ion strength, humic acid (HA), and nanometer alumina (NA) particles on the transport of hexavalent chromium (HC) in saturated porous media. A one-dimensional model is developed to simulate the migration of HC affected by NA particles. The results show that nano-alumina particles would enhance the mobility of HC in saturated porous media. However, the influence of NA on the migration of HC in porous media is complex. When the concentration of NA reaches 30 mg/L, HC has minimum retention parameter and best mobility. The transport of HC also is affected by ion strength and ion type. Higher ionic strength would decrease the retention of HC and enhance its mobility. Compared with sodium ion, calcium ion has larger effects on the transport of HC. Moreover, HA can improve the mobility of HC in saturated porous media, but the corresponding promoting effect decreases with the increase of HA concentration. As nanometer contaminants and HC come into the subsurface environment, findings from this study elucidate the key factors and processes controlling the transport of HC in porous media, which can promote the prediction and assessment of HC in the groundwater system.

Published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

ISSN: 0147-6513 (Print); 1090-2414 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Technology: Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering: Environmental pollution; Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/ecotoxicology-and-environmental-safety

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