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Title: Colloids in groundwater: Their mobilization, subsurface transport, and sorption affinity for toxic chemicals

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6144063· OSTI ID:6144063

During the initial project period, we have pursued several activities with the overall goal of characterizing the roles of colloid in groundwater. First, we have collected soil cores from a site where we have previously found large quantities of kaolinite colloids in the groundwater. We have intensely investigated these cores to test our hypothesis that the colloids have been mobilized as a result of iron oxide dissolution. Next, we have constructed a soil core system in our laboratory with which we are attempting to mimic the factors that we think are governing colloid transport in the subsurface. Finally, we have pursued the issue of how well organic chemicals bind to the kinds of colloids that we are seeing at field sites. Together, with our knowledge of colloid mobility, we anticipate that this sorption data will enable us to predict the influence of groundwater colloids on contaminant fates in the subsurface. Our progress in each of these activities is described in this report. 7 refs., 12 figs.

Research Organization:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, MA (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/ER
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-89ER60846
OSTI ID:
6144063
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/60846-1; ON: DE91005341
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English