NANO GEOCHEMISTRY
Loading...
Date
2022
Authors
Schäfer, Thorsten
Lee, Woojin
Darbha, Gopala Krishna
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nanomaterials
Abstract
It is our great pleasure to briefly introduce our motivation to collect scientific contributions
for this Special Issue, entitled “Nano Geochemistry”. The geophysical and chemical
dynamics at the solid–water interface, ultimately, control the transport properties of natural
and engineered colloids/nanoparticles via, e.g., mineral dissolution/precipitation reactions
and the variation in nano- to microscale surface roughness [1,2]. The nanoparticles present
can significantly influence the mobility of strongly sorbing organic and/or inorganic contaminants
in groundwater systems, frequently used as a drinking-water resource [3]. In
addition, wetting/drying cycles in the vadose zone have attracted interest, concerning
the mobility of organic nanoparticles/colloids [4], and the nanoparticle composition and
element redox state can significantly change, especially in karst systems, due to seasonal
variations [5]. More pronounced changes, due to extreme weather events, potentially
triggered by climate change, have been observed [6]. The generation of these nanoparticles
based on the nucleation and growth theory (classical or non-classical crystallization pathway)
for the formation of nanoparticles in natural systems is still a matter of debate. It could
be shown, e.g., for magnetite, that the nanoparticle formation in natural systems proceeds
through rapid agglomeration of nanometric primary particles. In contrast to the nucleation
of other minerals, no intermediate bulk phase is involved [7]. Nucleation and nanoparticle
formation, associated with surfaces, are also key aspects of the formation of, e.g., Au ore
deposits and hydrothermal vents [2,8], also referred to as the field of nanogeology
Description
Keywords
Type of access: Open Access, Nano Geochemistry
Citation
Schäfer, T., Lee, W., & Darbha, G. K. (2022). Nano Geochemistry. Nanomaterials, 12(7), 1039. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12071039