Colloids in groundwater: Their mobilization, subsurface transport, and sorption affinity for toxic chemicals. Annual technical progress report

Technical Report · Fri Jul 10 04:00:00 EDT 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10168896· OSTI ID:10168896

Gschwend, P M

Our originally stated objectives included: (1) development of a quantitative source function for colloid mobilization to groundwater, and (2) assessment of the most important colloidal phases to which nonpolar compounds sorb. We have been pursuing a series of studies to elucidate the roles of colloidal phases in subsurface environments. Most notably, we have discovered the critical role of secondary cementitious phases like goethite. We developed a new procedure for measuring ``surface iron oxides`` which is a great improvement over earlier methodologies. Currently, we are developing a unifying model with which we can predict the mobilization of colloids to groundwater flowing through such porous media. Also, we have been able to show that groundwater samples contain colloidal phases in sufficient quantities and of suitable properties to enhance the mobile load of toxic compounds like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Finally, we have synthesized our varied field investigations from sites in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware, Nevada, Connecticut, and New York to yield a protocol for other researchers interested in evaluating colloids in groundwater. These accomplishments are discussed in more detail below. Through these efforts, we have become increasingly convinced of the central role played by colloidal phases in numerous subsurface phenomena controlling contaminant fates.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, MA (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG02-89ER60846
• OSTI ID: 10168896
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER/60846--3; ON: DE92018800
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360603
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220
540320
CHEMICALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT
COLLOIDS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GOETHITE
GROUND WATER
IRON OXIDES
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
POROUS MATERIALS
PROGRESS REPORT
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
TOXIC MATERIALS
UNDERGROUND
WATER CHEMISTRY