Characterization of complex mineral assemblages: Implications for contaminant transport and environmental remediation
Open Access
- 30 March 1999
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
- Vol. 96 (7), 3350-3357
- https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.96.7.3350
Abstract
Surface reactive phases of soils and aquifers, comprised of phyllosilicate and metal oxohydroxide minerals along with humic substances, play a critical role in the regulation of contaminant fate and transport. Much of our knowledge concerning contaminant-mineral interactions at the molecular level, however, is derived from extensive experimentation on model mineral systems. Although these investigations have provided a foundation for understanding reactive surface functional groups on individual mineral phases, the information cannot be readily extrapolated to complex mineral assemblages in natural systems. Recent studies have elucidated the role of less abundant mineral and organic substrates as important surface chemical modifiers and have demonstrated complex coupling of reactivity between permanent-charge phyllosilicates and variable-charge Fe-oxohydroxide phases. Surface chemical modifiers were observed to control colloid generation and transport processes in surface and subsurface environments as well as the transport of solutes and ionic tracers. The surface charging mechanisms operative in the complex mineral assemblages cannot be predicted based on bulk mineralogy or by considering surface reactivity of less abundant mineral phases based on results from model systems. The fragile nature of mineral assemblages isolated from natural systems requires novel techniques and experimental approaches for investigating their surface chemistry and reactivity free of artifacts. A complete understanding of the surface chemistry of complex mineral assemblages is prerequisite to accurately assessing environmental and human health risks of contaminants or in designing environmentally sound, cost-effective chemical and biological remediation strategies.Keywords
This publication has 47 references indexed in Scilit:
- Physicochemical Controls on Nonconservative Anion Migration in Coarse-Textured Alluvial SedimentsGroundwater, 1996
- Facilitated Transport of Contaminant Metals Through an Acidified AquiferGroundwater, 1995
- Chemical Controls on Colloid Generation and Transport in a Sandy AquiferEnvironmental Science & Technology, 1995
- Application of Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis To Identify Contaminant Metals on Groundwater ColloidsEnvironmental Science & Technology, 1994
- The Isoelectric Points of Solid Oxides, Solid Hydroxides, and Aqueous Hydroxo Complex SystemsChemical Reviews, 1965
- SOIL FACTORS AFFECTING INCIDENCE OF ROOT KNOTSoil Science, 1946
- THE LAWS OF SOIL COLLOIDAL BEHAVIORSoil Science, 1931
- THE NATURE OF THE BASE-EXCHANGE MATERIAL OF BENTONITE, SOILS, AND ZEOLITES, AS REVEALED BY CHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND X-RAY ANALYSISSoil Science, 1931
- THE RESULTS OF X-RAY AND MICROSCOPICAL EXAMINATIONS OF SOIL COLLOIDSSoil Science, 1930
- Kleinere AufsätzeJuristische Rundschau, 1927