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Updated: Dec 4, 2025

Author Spotlight: Asymmetric Field Flow Fractionation for Bioreactor Integration
Published on: February 2, 2024
Application of asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation to the study of aquatic systems: Coupled methods, challenges,
Yu Wang1, C W Cuss1, W Shotyk1
1Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H1, Canada.
Abstract:
Aquatic ecosystems are facing multiple direct and indirect stressors from anthropogenic activities. Aquatic colloids, including natural and manufactured nanoparticles, have received global concern owing to their ability to transport metals, nutrients and pollutants, and their potential to pose ecological risks for wildlife and human health. Asymmetric flow-field flow fractionation (AF4) has become one of the most promising and powerful approaches to characterize colloidal particles over the last ten years. This review overviews the advances and applications of AF4 for the study of aquatic systems over the last decade. The analytical challenge of AF4 and known deviation from theoretical assumptions are also critically discussed, such as sample losses, membrane-analyte interactions, and overloading. Future needs for methodological advances are addressed.
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