Investigating transport kinetics of polystyrene nanoplastics in saturated porous media

Xinyao Ye; Zhou Cheng; Ming Wu; Yanru Hao; Bill X. Hu; Cehui Mo; Qusheng Li; Lei Xiang; Haiming Zhao; Jianfeng Wu; Jichun Wu; Guoping Lu

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety (Aug 2022)

Investigating transport kinetics of polystyrene nanoplastics in saturated porous media

Xinyao Ye,
Zhou Cheng,
Ming Wu,
Yanru Hao,
Bill X. Hu,
Cehui Mo,
Qusheng Li,
Lei Xiang,
Haiming Zhao,
Jianfeng Wu,
Jichun Wu,
Guoping Lu

Affiliations

Xinyao Ye: 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
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; 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.
Yanru Hao: 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
Cehui Mo: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
Qusheng Li: Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
Lei Xiang: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
Haiming Zhao: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
Jianfeng Wu: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, 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
Guoping Lu: Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Environment Pollution Control and Remediation Materials, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 241
p. 113820

Abstract

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Understanding the fate and transport of polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs) in porous media under various conditions is necessary for evaluating and predicting environmental risks caused by microplastics. The transport kinetics of PSNPs are investigated by column experiment and numerical model. The surface of DLVO interaction energy is calculated to analyze and predict the adsorption and aggregation of PSNPs in porous media, which the critical ionic strength of PSNPs can be accurately investigated. The results of the DLVO energy surface suggest that when the concentration of Na+ increases from 1 mM to 50 mM, the DLVO energy barrier of PSNPs-silica sand (SS) decreases from 78.37 kT to 5.46 kT. As a result, PSNPs are easily adsorbed on the surface of SS and the mobility of PSNPs is reduced under the condition of a high concentration of Na+ (PSNPs recovery rate decreases from 62.16% to 3.65%). When the concentration of Ca2+ increases from 0.1 mM to 5 mM, the DLVO energy barrier of PSNPs-SS decreases from 12.10 kT to 1.90 kT, and PSNPs recovery rate decreases from 82.46% to 4.27%. Experimental and model results showed that PSNPs mobility is enhanced by increasing initial concentration, flow velocity and grain size of SS, while the mobility of PSNPs with larger particle diameter is lower. Regression analysis suggests that kinetic parameters related to PSNPs mobility are correlated with DLVO energy barriers. The environmental behavior and mechanism of PSNPs transport in porous media are further investigated in this study, which provides a scientific basis for the systematic and comprehensive evaluation of the environmental risk and ecological safety of nano-plastic particles 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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