Back to Search Start Over

Pore-scale quantification of colloid transport in saturated porous media.

Authors :
Smith J
Gao B
Funabashi H
Tran TN
Luo D
Ahner BA
Steenhuis TS
Hay AG
Walter MT
Source :
Environmental science & technology [Environ Sci Technol] 2008 Jan 15; Vol. 42 (2), pp. 517-23.
Publication Year :
2008

Abstract

It is currently not clear how to quantifiably relate pore-scale observations of colloid transportto larger scales, so,we proposed a geometric theory showing that pore-scale-derived rate constants may be appropriate to model a larger scale system. This study considered three different types of colloids: latex microspheres, Escherichia coli, and microspheres made of poly lactic acid (PLA). Colloid attachment and detachment rate constants were calculated using digital microscope images, taken in rapid (1 s) sequences, from which rates of attaching and detaching colloids were readily observed. Average rate constants from >1000 images per colloid-type were used to model Darcy-scale colloid transport breakthrough curves. The modeled and observed breakthrough curves agreed well for all three types of colloids. However, for latex and PLA microspheres, the model systematically under predicted the breakthrough curves' rising limb, which may indicate that the rate "constants" are actually dependent on the amount of attached colloids. Insights into these sorts of complexities are best addressed by research that considers both pore-scale phenomena and larger-scale transport responses.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0013-936X
Volume :
42
Issue :
2
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Environmental science & technology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
18284156
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1021/es070736x