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Colloid stability in vadose zone Hanford sediments.

Szabolcs Czigány1, Markus Flury, James B Harsh

  • 1Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Center for Multiphase Environmental Research, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA.

Environmental Science & Technology
|April 12, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Natural colloids from Hanford vadose zone sediments form stable suspensions. However, they aggregate and are removed before reaching groundwater due to long travel times.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental science
  • Geochemistry
  • Colloid science

Background:

  • Vadose zone sediments contain natural colloids that influence contaminant transport.
  • Understanding colloid stability is crucial for predicting subsurface contaminant migration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To experimentally determine the colloid stability of natural colloids from Hanford vadose zone sediments.
  • To compare the stability of natural colloids with reference minerals (kaolinite, montmorillonite, silica).
  • To assess the influence of electrolyte composition (Na, Ca, Hanford pore water) on colloid stability.

Main Methods:

  • Colloid stability was assessed using two methods: batch turbidity and dynamic light scattering.
  • Critical Coagulation Concentrations (CCCs) were determined for various electrolyte solutions.

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  • Dynamic light scattering was identified as the preferred method due to its independence from settling time and arbitrary criteria.

    • Main Results:

    • Dynamic light scattering yielded CCC values of 90–200 mmol/L for Na systems and 1.7–3.8 mmol/L for Ca systems.
    • Natural colloids exhibited stability intermediate between kaolinite and montmorillonite.
    • Results indicate colloids exist in a slow aggregation regime within the Hanford vadose zone.

    Conclusions:

    • Natural colloids in the Hanford vadose zone form stable suspensions.
    • Despite initial stability, colloids are expected to aggregate and be removed during long travel times.
    • Colloid aggregation significantly impacts their potential to transport contaminants to groundwater.