Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Temporal Variation in Ionic Strength on Colloid Retention and Remobilization in Saturated Porous Media

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Temporal Variation in Ionic Strength on Colloid Retention and Remobilization in Saturated Porous Media

Yerramilli Sai Rama Krishna, N. Seetha, S. Majid Hassanizadeh

Temporal variations in the chemistry of infiltrating water into the subsurface are known to cause remobilization of colloids from the grain surfaces, thereby increasing the travel distance of the colloidal contaminants. Column experiments were performed, in which we injected carboxylate-modified latex colloids at a given ionic strength for a specified period. After breakthrough of colloids, the ionic strength of inflowing water was decreased in a stepwise manner to 0 mM (DI water). A sharp release of colloids was observed with each step decrease in ionic strength. Only a partial release of deposited colloids was observed even after several steps of ionic strength decrease with significant release observed when the ionic strength was reduced to below 10 mM. A mathematical model was developed incorporating a novel formulation for ionic strength-dependent deposition and release.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 251, 104079 (2022)
Corresponding Author: Seetha N.

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