Fate and Transport of Fine Particles
Fate and Transport of Colloidal and Nano-Sized Particles in the Vadose Zone
Objective
This project mainly focuses on exploring the mechanisms that govern the fate and transport of abiotic colloids (defined as particles with size range between 10nm to 10 μm) in the soil vadose zone. Multi-scale experimentation and modeling investigations are applied in this study to identify and qualify these mechanisms and to improve current understanding of colloid transport in the vadose zone.
Approaches
Pore-Scale Visualization
Modeling
Column Breakthrough
Modeling
Selected Videos
- Transport in Unsaturated, Homogenous Porous Media (Steady Flow)
- Transport in Unsaturated Homogenous Porous Media (Transient Flow)
- Transport in Unsaturated, Heterogeneous Porous Media (Preferential Flow)
Selected Publications
- Morales, V.L., B. Gao, T.S. Steenhuis. 2009. Grain Surface-Roughness Effects on Colloidal Retention in the Vadose Zone. Vadose Zone Journal 8:11-20, doi: 10.2136/vzj2007.0171.
- Gao, B., T.S. Steenhuis, Y. Zevi, V.L. Morales, J.L. Nieber, B.K. Richards, J.F. McCarthy, J.Y. Parlange. 2008. Capillary Retention of Colloids in Unsaturated Porous Media. Water Resources Research. W04504, doi: 10.1029/2006WR005332.
- Gao, B., J.E. Saiers, J.N. Ryan. 2006. Pore-Scale Mechanisms of Colloid Deposition and Mobilization during Steady and Transient Flow through Unsaturated Granular Media. Water Resources Research. 42, W01410, doi: 10.1029/2005WR004233.
Collaborators
Drs. Tammo Steenhuis (Cornell), Brian Richards (Cornell), and Jim Saiers (Yale).