Development of a comprehensive understanding of aggregation-settling movement of CeO2 nanoparticles in natural waters.

Parameters such as the settling rate, aggregation rate, and collision frequency in predictive models used to describe the fate of nanoparticles (NPs) are very important for the risk assessment of NPs in the environment. In this study, CeO 2 NPs were chosen as the model particles to investigate such parameters through aggregation-settling experiments under environmentally relevant conditions. The results indicate that natural colloids (Ncs) have no effect on the settling of NPs in seawaters, whereas they stabilize the NPs at a low initial particle concentration and promote the heteroaggregation of NPs at a high initial particle concentration in lake waters. In all cases, a suspended sediment absorbs the NPs and Ncs as mixed aggregates, resulting in a rapid settling. Furthermore, the calculation results of the model indicate that the shear force increases the collision frequency of the NPs by 4–5 orders of magnitude higher than that in quiescent waters. However, the break-up effect by the shear force is more obvious, namely, the shear force hinders the aggregation of NPs in natural waters, instead of promoting aggregation. Remarkably, a negative value of the dis-heteroaggregation rate based on the combined von Smoluchowski–Stokes equation can reflect the hindering effect on the aggregation process. The results of this study will provide scientific and accurate guidance for the parameter selection in the existing prediction model and contribute to a prediction of the fate and transport of NPs in the environment. Image 1 • The input parameters in the NP exposure model were investigated. • The different aggregation mechanisms were predominant in different natural waters. • Turbulence can break up the aggregates and transport them to a greater distance. • Collision frequency of CeO 2 NPs in turbulent waters was experimentally calculated. • The co-sedimentation of NPs with SS in the exposure modeling should be redefined. The hydrodynamic effect on the environmental behavior of NPs was investigated to ensure the accuracy of the parameter selection of the prediction model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]