Journal article
Influence of septic system wastewater treatment on titanium dioxide nanoparticle subsurface transport mechanisms
Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, v 410(24), pp 6125-6132
01 Sep 2018
PMID: 29862435
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are commonly incorporated into food and consumer applications to enhance a specific product aspect (i.e., optical properties). Life cycle analyses revealed ENMs can be released from products during usage and reach wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), with titanium dioxide (TiO
) accounting for a large fraction. As such, food grade (FG) TiO
, a more common form of TiO
in wastewater, was used in this study. Nanomaterials in WWTPs have been well characterized, although the problematic septic system has been neglected. Elution and bioaccumulation of TiO
ENMs from WTTPs in downriver sediments and microorganisms has been observed; however, little is known about mechanisms governing the elution of FG TiO
from the septic drainage system. This study characterized the transport behavior and mechanisms of FG TiO
particles in porous media conditions after septic waste treatment. FG and industrial grade (IG) TiO
(more commonly studied) were introduced to septic tank effluent and low-ionic strength electrolyte solutions prior to column transport experiments. Results indicate that FG TiO
aggregate size (200-400 nm) remained consistent across solutions. Additionally, elution of FG and IG TiO
was greatest in septic effluent at the higher nanoparticle concentration (100 ppm). FG TiO
was well retained at the low (2 ppm) concentration in septic effluent, suggesting that particles that escape the septic system may still be retained in drainage field before reaching the groundwater system, although eluted particles are highly stabilized. Findings provide valuable insight into the significance of the solution environment at mediating differences observed between uniquely engineered nanomaterials. Graphical abstract.
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Details
- Title
- Influence of septic system wastewater treatment on titanium dioxide nanoparticle subsurface transport mechanisms
- Creators
- Travis Waller - University of California, RiversideIan M Marcus - University of California, RiversideSharon L Walker - University of California, Riverside
- Publication Details
- Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, v 410(24), pp 6125-6132
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Grant note
- P200A130127 / Department of Education DBI 0830117 / National Science Foundation
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Engineering
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000443423300008
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85047903951
- Other Identifier
- 991021229892704721
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- Biochemical Research Methods
- Chemistry, Analytical