Capillary Electrophoresis as a Complementary Analytical Tool for the Separation and Detection of Nanoplastic Particles

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is presented as a technique for the separation of polystyrene nanoparticles (NPs, particle diameters ranging from 30 to 300 nm) through a bare fused silica capillary and ultraviolet detection. The proposed strategy was also assessed for other types of nanoplastics, finding that stronger alkaline conditions, with an ammonium hydroxide buffer (7.5%, pH = 11.9), enabled the separation of poly(methyl methacrylate), polypropylene, and polyethylene NP for the first time by means of CE for particle diameters below 200 nm. Particle behavior has been investigated in terms of its effective electrophoretic mobility, showing an increasing absolute value of effective electrophoretic mobility from the smaller to the larger sizes. On the other hand, the absolute value of surface charge density decreased with increasing size of NPs. It was demonstrated and quantified that the separation mechanism was a combination of linear and nonlinear electrophoretic effects. This work is the first report on the quantification of nonlinear electrophoretic effects on nanoplastic particles in a CE system.

Exploring Pt-Pd Alloy Nanoparticle Cluster Formation through Conventional Sizing Techniques and Single-Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma-Sector Field Mass Spectrometry

Accurate characterization of Pt-Pd alloy nanoparticle clusters (NCs) is crucial for understanding their synthesis using Gas-Diffusion Electrocrystallization (GDEx). In this study, we propose a comprehensive approach that integrates conventional sizing techniques-scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS)-with innovative single-particle inductively coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometry (spICP-SFMS) to investigate Pt-Pd alloy NC formation. SEM and DLS provide insights into morphology and hydrodynamic sizes, while spICP-SFMS elucidates the particle size and distribution of Pt-Pd alloy NCs, offering rapid and orthogonal characterization. The spICP-SFMS approach presented enables detailed characterization of Pt-Pd alloy NCs, which was previously challenging due to the absence of multi-element capabilities in conventional spICP-MS systems. This innovative approach not only enhances our understanding of bimetallic nanoparticle synthesis, but also paves the way for tailoring these materials for specific applications, marking a significant advancement in the field of nanomaterial science.

Finding the tiny plastic needle in the haystack: how field flow fractionation can help to analyze nanoplastics in food

While the exact health risks associated with nanoplastics are currently the focus of intense research, there is no doubt that humans are exposed to nanoplastics and that food could be a major source of exposure. Nanoplastics are released from plastic materials and articles used during food production, processing, storage, preparation, and serving. They are also likely to enter the food chain via contaminated water, air, and soil. However, very limited exposure data for risk assessment exists so far due to the lack of suitable analytical methods. Nanoplastic detection in food poses a great analytical challenge due to the complexity of plastics and food matrices as well as the small size and expectedly low concentration of the plastic particles. Multidetector field flow fractionation has emerged as a valuable analytical technique for nanoparticle separation over the last decades, and the first studies using the technique for analyzing nanoplastics in complex matrices are emerging. In combination with online detectors and offline analysis, multidetector field flow fractionation is a powerful platform for advanced characterization of nanoplastics in food by reducing sample complexity, which otherwise hampers the full potential of most analytical techniques. The focus of this article is to present the current state of the art of multidetector field flow fractionation for nanoplastic analysis and to discuss future trends and needs aiming at the analysis of nanoplastics in food.

What can we learn from studying plastic debris in the Sea Scheldt estuary?

The Sea Scheldt estuary has been suggested to be a significant pathway for transfer of plastic debris to the North Sea. We have studied 12,801 plastic items that were collected in the Sea Scheldt estuary (Belgium) during 3 sampling campaigns (in spring, summer, and autumn) using a technique called anchor netting. The investigation results indicated that the abundance of plastic debris in the Scheldt River was on average 1.6 × 10^-3 items per m³ with an average weight of 0.38 × 10^-3 g per m³. Foils were the most abundant form, accounting for >88 % of the samples, followed by fragments for 11 % of the samples and filaments, making up for <1 % of the plastic debris. FTIR spectroscopy of 7 % of the total number of plastic debris items collected in the Sea Scheldt estuary (n = 883) revealed that polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polystyrene (PS) originating from disposable packaging materials were the most abundant types of polymers. A limited number of plastic debris items (n = 100) were selected for non-destructive screening of their mineral element composition using micro-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (μXRF). The corresponding results revealed that S, Ca, Si, P, Al, and Fe were the predominant mineral elements. These elements originate from flame retardants, mineral fillers, and commonly used catalysts for plastic production. Finally, machine learning algorithms were deployed to test a new concept for forensic identification of the different plastic entities based on the most important elements present using a limited subset of PP (n = 36) and PE (n = 35) plastic entities.

Characterization of Gold Nanorods Conjugated with Synthetic Glycopolymers Using an Analytical Approach Based on spICP-SFMS and EAF4-MALS

A new comprehensive analytical approach based on single-particle inductively coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometry (spICP-SFMS) and electrical asymmetric-flow field-flow-fractionation combined with multi-angle light scattering detection (EAF4-MALS) has been examined for the characterization of galactosamine-terminated poly(N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide)-coated gold nanorods (GNRs) in two different degrees of polymerization (DP) by tuning the feed ratio (short: DP 35; long: DP 60). spICP-SFMS provided information on the particle number concentration, size and size distribution of the GNRs, and was found to be useful as an orthogonal method for fast characterization of GNRs. Glycoconjugated GNRs were separated and characterized via EAF4-MALS in terms of their size and charge and compared to the bare GNRs. In contrast to spICP-SFMS, EAF4-MALS was also able of providing an estimate of the thickness of the glycopolymer coating on the GNRs surface.

Short-term sleep fragmentation enhances anxiety-related behavior: The role of hormonal alterations

Introduction

The neuroendocrine background of acute sleep fragmentation in obstructive sleep apnea and sleep fragmentation involvement in psychiatric comorbidities, common in these patients, are still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of short-term experimental sleep fragmentation on anxiety -like behavior and hormonal status in rats.

Methods

Male rats were adapted to treadmill (ON and OFF mode with belt speed set on 0.02m/s and 0.00m/s) and randomized to: 1) treadmill control (TC, only OFF mode); 2) motion, activity control (AC, 10min ON and 30min OFF mode) and 3) sleep fragmentation (SF, 30s ON and 90s OFF mode) group. Six hours later, the animals were tested in the open field, elevated plus maze and light/dark test (n = 8/group). Testosterone, estradiol, progesterone and corticosterone were determined in separate animal cohort immediately upon sleep fragmentation (n = 6/group).

Results

SF rats showed decreased rearings number, decreased time spent in the central area and increased thigmotaxic index compared to TC and AC rats in the open field test. Similarly, increased anxiety upon sleep fragmentation was observed in the elevated plus maze and the light/dark test. Significantly lower testosterone, estradiol and progesterone levels were determined in SF in comparison to AC and TC groups, while there was no significant difference in the levels of corticosterone.

Conclusion

Short term sleep fragmentation enhances anxiety-related behavior in rats, which could be partly mediated by the observed hormonal changes presented in the current study in form of testosterone, estradiol and progesterone depletion.

Abstract P4-08-08: Genomic progression, detected by circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) sequencing, as an early predictor of disease progression in metastatic breast cancer (MBC)

Background: The availability of multiple therapies has transformed the landscape of MBC, but also brought the challenge of selecting the right therapy for an individual patient. Furthermore, in patients with Hormone Receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer who have bone metastases only it may be difficult to assess effectiveness of therapy via imaging. Peripheral ctDNA detection and analysis by next-generation sequencing (NGS) has gained popularity in cancer diagnosis and therapeutics due to its relative noninvasiveness, ease of use, and high sensitivity. Here, we explore the utility of ctDNA change as a predictor for disease progression in MBC. We hypothesized that genomic progression is a harbinger of subsequent radiologic progression in patients with MBC.

Methods: We analyzed change from pre-treatment (baseline) to on-treatment ctDNA mutant allele fraction (MAF) among patients with MBC. Patients receiving standard-of-care therapies or investigational agents on clinical trials at our institution were included. All patients were followed from the date of baseline test until death or data cutoff (6/20/2018). All peripheral blood specimens were collected and analyzed between 1/7/2016 and 3/1/2018 via NGS (Guardant360®). Peripheral blood specimens were sequenced prior to initiation of a new therapeutic regimen (baseline) and subsequently at least once while on-treatment, on average 4-12 weeks later. All patients had a follow-up CT scan of chest, abdomen and pelvis 2-4 weeks after the on-treatment NGS. A priori, we defined genomic progression as increase in ctDNA total MAF of at least 20% from baseline. We utilized Cox regression analysis to identify whether genomic progression was a predictor of radiologic progression, adjusting for common prognostic variables.

Results: All patients (N= 77) were female, predominantly White (83.1%), and median age was 57 (range 32 to 77). Fifty one out of 77 patients (66.2%) were ER+, 5 HER2+, and 9 had triple negative breast cancer. The median MAF at baseline was 2.2% (range 0% - 61.7%). Common genomic alterations in ctDNA included PIK3CA, TP53, ESR1, AKT1, NF1. 27 out of 77 (35%) patients showed disease progression on the first subsequent CT scan, while 59 out of 77 (76.6%) progressed during the follow up time. We found that an increase in ctDNA MAF of at least 20% was a strong predictor of disease progression (HR =2.46, CI [1.14-5.32], p=0.02), compared to those who had a MAF increase of less than 20% or a decrease in total MAF. In multi-variable analysis, adjusting for age, number of prior therapies, type of therapy, and visceral metastases, increase in ctDNA remained a significant predictor for subsequent disease progression (HR =3.84, CI [1.63-9.07], p=0.002). Subset results in patients with bone metastases only, and relative comparison of ctDNA with standard tumor markers will be presented at the meeting.

Conclusions: Genomic progression, identified by an increase in ctDNA MAF, is potentially an early predictor of subsequent disease progression in patients with MBC. Further research is needed to prospectively evaluate the clinical utility of ctDNA change as a surrogate marker in guiding treatment decision-making for patients with MBC.

Citation Format: Velimirovic M, Juric D, Niemierko A, Spring LM, Vidula N, Malvarosa G, Yuen M, Moy B, Isakoff SJ, Ellisen LW, Bardia A. Genomic progression, detected by circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) sequencing, as an early predictor of disease progression in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-08-08.

NADPH oxidase and redox status in amygdala, hippocampus and cortex of male Wistar rats in an animal model of post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly prevalent and impairing disorder. Oxidative stress is implicated in its pathogenesis. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase is an important source of free radicals. The aim of the study was to assess oxidative stress parameters, activities of respiratory chain enzymes, and the expression of NADPH oxidase subunits (gp91phox, p22phox, and p67phox) in the single prolonged stress (SPS) animal model of PTSD. Twenty-four (12 controls; 12 subjected to SPS), 9-week-old, male Wistar rats were used. SPS included physical restraint, forced swimming, and ether exposure. The rats were euthanized seven days later. Cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, and thalamus were dissected. Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), Complex I, and cytochrome C oxidase were measured using spectrophotometric methods, while the expression of NADPH oxidase subunits was determined by Western blot. Increased MDA and decreased GSH concentrations were found in the amygdala and hippocampus of the SPS rats. SOD activity was decreased in amygdala and GPx was decreased in hippocampus. Increased expression of the NADPH oxidase subunits was seen in amygdala, while mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme expression was unchanged both in amygdala and hippocampus. In the cortex concentrations of MDA and GSH were unchanged despite increased Complex I and decreased GPx, while in the thalamus no change of any parameter was noticed. We conclude that oxidative stress is present in hippocampus and amygdala seven days after the SPS procedure. NADPH oxidase seems to be a main source of free radicals in the amygdala.

Effect of field site hydrogeochemical conditions on the corrosion of milled zerovalent iron particles and their dechlorination efficiency

Milled zerovalent iron (milled ZVI) particles have been recognized as a promising agent for groundwater remediation because of (1) their high reactivity with chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, organochlorine pesticides, organic dyes, and a number of inorganic contaminants, and (2) a possible greater persistance than the more extensively investigated nanoscale zerovalent iron. We have used laboratory-scale batch degradation experiments to investigate the effect that hydrogeochemical conditions have on the corrosion of milled ZVI and on its ability to degrade trichloroethene (TCE). The observed pseudo first-order degradation rate constants indicated that the degradation of TCE by milled ZVI is affected by groundwater chemistry. The apparent corrosion rates of milled ZVI particles were of the same order of magnitude for hydrogeochemical conditions representative for two contaminated field sites (133-140mmolkg^-1day^-1, indicating a milled ZVI life-time of 128-135days). Sulfate enhances milled ZVI reactivity by removing passivating iron oxides and hydroxides from the Fe⁰ surface, thus increasing the number of reactive sites available. The organic matter content of 1.69% in the aquifer material tends to suppress the formation of iron corrosion precipitates. Results from scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and iron K-edge X-ray adsorption spectroscopy suggest that the corrosion mechanisms involve the partial dissolution of particles followed by the formation and surface precipitation of magnetite and/or maghemite. Numerical corrosion modeling revealed that fitting iron corrosion rates and hydrogen inhibitory terms to hydrogen and pH measurements in batch reactors can reduce the life-time of milled ZVI particles by a factor of 1.2 to 1.7.

Impact of Sodium Humate Coating on Collector Surfaces on Deposition of Polymer-Coated Nanoiron Particles

The affinity between nanoscale zerovalent iron (nano-ZVI) and mineral surfaces hinders its mobility, and hence its delivery into contaminated aquifers. We have tested the hypothesis that the attachment of poly(acrylic acid)-coated nano-ZVI (PAA-nano-ZVI) to mineral surfaces could be limited by coating such surfaces with sodium (Na) humate prior to PAA-nano-ZVI injection. Na humate was expected to form a coating over favorable sites for PAA-nano-ZVI attachment and hence reduce the affinity of PAA-nano-ZVI for the collector surfaces through electrosteric repulsion between the two interpenetrating charged polymers. Column experiments demonstrated that a low concentration (10 mg/L) Na humate solution in synthetic water significantly improved the mobility of PAA-nano-ZVI within a standard sand medium. This effect was, however, reduced in more heterogeneous natural collector media from contaminated sites, as not an adequate amount of the collector sites favorable for PAA-nano-ZVI attachment within these media appear to have been screened by the Na humate. Na humate did not interact with the surfaces of acid-washed glass beads or standard Ottawa sand, which presented less surface heterogeneity. Important factors influencing the effectiveness of Na humate application in improving PAA-nano-ZVI mobility include the solution chemistry, the Na humate concentration, and the collector properties.

Agar agar-stabilized milled zerovalent iron particles for in situ groundwater remediation

Submicron-scale milled zerovalent iron (milled ZVI) particles produced by grinding macroscopic raw materials could provide a cost-effective alternative to nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) particles for in situ degradation of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons in groundwater. However, the aggregation and settling of bare milled ZVI particles from suspension presents a significant obstacle to their in situ application for groundwater remediation. In our investigations we reduced the rapid aggregation and settling rate of bare milled ZVI particles from suspension by stabilization with a "green" agar agar polymer. The transport potential of stabilized milled ZVI particle suspensions in a diverse array of natural heterogeneous porous media was evaluated in a series of well-controlled laboratory column experiments. The impact of agar agar on trichloroethene (TCE) removal by milled ZVI particles was assessed in laboratory-scale batch reactors. The use of agar agar significantly enhanced the transport of milled ZVI particles in all of the investigated porous media. Reactivity tests showed that the agar agar-stabilized milled ZVI particles were reactive towards TCE, but that their reactivity was an order of magnitude less than that of bare, non-stabilized milled ZVI particles. Our results suggest that milled ZVI particles could be used as an alternative to nZVI particles as their potential for emplacement into contaminated zone, their reactivity, and expected longevity are beneficial for in situ groundwater remediation.

Pressure-controlled injection of guar gum stabilized microscale zerovalent iron for groundwater remediation

The paper reports a pilot injection test of microsized zerovalent iron (mZVI) dispersed in a guar gum shear thinning solution. The test was performed in the framework of the EU research project AQUAREHAB in a site in Belgium contaminated by chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs). The field application was aimed to overcome those critical aspects which hinder mZVI field injection, mainly due to the colloidal instability of ZVI-based suspensions. The iron slurry properties (iron particles size and concentration, polymeric stabilizer type and concentration, slurry viscosity) were designed in the laboratory based on several tests (reactivity tests towards contaminants, sedimentation tests and rheological measurements). The particles were delivered into the aquifer through an injection well specifically designed for controlled-pressure delivery (approximately 10 bars). The well characteristics and the critical pressure of the aquifer (i.e. the injection pressure above which fracturing occurs) were assessed via two innovative injection step rate tests, one performed with water and the other one with guar gum. Based on laboratory and field preliminary tests, a flow regime at the threshold between permeation and preferential flow was selected for mZVI delivery, as a compromise between the desired homogeneous distribution of the mZVI around the injection point (ensured by permeation flow) and the fast and effective injection of the slurry (guaranteed by high discharge rates and injection pressure, resulting in the generation of preferential flow paths). A monitoring setup was designed and installed for the real-time monitoring of relevant parameters during injection, and for a fast determination of the spatial mZVI distribution after injection via non-invasive magnetic susceptibility measurements.

Use of CAH-degrading bacteria as test-organisms for evaluating the impact of fine zerovalent iron particles on the anaerobic subsurface environment

The release of fine zerovalent iron (ZVI) particles in the environment after being introduced for in-situ treatment of compounds like chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) may raise questions toward environmental safety, especially for nanoscale materials. Classical single-species ecotoxicity tests do focus on aerobic conditions and are only relevant for the scenario when ZVI-particles reach surface water. Herein, we present an alternative approach where a CAH-degrading mixed bacterial culture was used as test-organisms relevant for the anaerobic subsurface. The impact of different ZVI particles on the bacterial culture was evaluated mainly by quantifying ATP, a reporter molecule giving a general indication of the microbial activity. These lab-scale batch tests were performed in liquid medium, without protecting and buffering aquifer material, as such representing worst-case scenario. The activity of the bacterial culture was negatively influenced by nanoscale zerovalent iron at doses as low as 0.05 g L(-1). On the other hand, concentrations up to 2 g L(-1) of several different types of microscale zerovalent iron (mZVI) particles stimulated the activity. However, very high doses of 15-30 g L(-1) of mZVI showed an inhibiting effect on the bacterial community. Negative effects of ZVIs were confirmed by H2 accumulation in the batch reactors and the absence of lactate consumption. Observed inhibition also corresponded to a pH increase above 7.5, explicable by ZVI corrosion that was found to be dose-dependent. The obtained results suggest that low doses of mZVIs will not show severe inhibition effects on the microbial community once used for in-situ treatment of CAHs.

Monitoring the injection of microscale zerovalent iron particles for groundwater remediation by means of complex electrical conductivity imaging

The injection of microscale zerovalent iron (mZVI) particles for groundwater remediation has received much interest in recent years. However, to date, monitoring of mZVI particle injection is based on chemical analysis of groundwater and soil samples and thus might be limited in its spatiotemporal resolution. To overcome this deficiency, in this study, we investigate the application of complex electrical conductivity imaging, a geophysical method, to monitor the high-pressure injection of mZVI in a field-scale application. The resulting electrical images revealed an increase in the induced electrical polarization (∼20%), upon delivery of ZVI into the targeted area, due to the accumulation of metallic surfaces at which the polarization takes place. Furthermore, larger changes (>50%) occurred in shallow sediments, a few meters away from the injection, suggesting the migration of particles through preferential flowpaths. Correlation of the electrical response and geochemical data, in particular the analysis of recovered cores from drilling after the injection, confirmed the migration of particles (and stabilizing solution) to shallow areas through fractures formed during the injection. Hence, our results demonstrate the suitability of the complex conductivity imaging method to monitor the transport of mZVI during subsurface amendment in quasi real-time.

Field assessment of guar gum stabilized microscale zerovalent iron particles for in-situ remediation of 1,1,1-trichloroethane

A pilot injection test with guar gum stabilized microscale zerovalent iron (mZVI) particles was performed at test site V (Belgium) where different chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) were present as pollutants in the subsurface. One hundred kilograms of 56μm-diameter mZVI (~70gL(-1)) was suspended in 1.5m(3) of guar gum (~7gL(-1)) solution and injected into the test area. In order to deliver the guar gum stabilized mZVI slurry, one direct push bottom-up injection (Geoprobe) was performed with injections at 5 depths between 10.5 and 8.5m bgs. The direct push technique was preferred above others (e.g. injection at low flow rate via screened wells) because of the limited hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer, and to the large size of the mZVI particles. A final heterogeneous distribution of the mZVI in the porous medium was observed explicable by preferential flow paths created during the high pressure injection. The maximum observed delivery distance was 2.5m. A significant decrease in 1,1,1-TCA concentrations was observed in close vicinity of spots where the highest concentration of mZVI was observed. Carbon stable isotope analysis (CSIA) yielded information on the success of the abiotic degradation of 1,1,1-TCA and indicated a heterogeneous spatio-temporal pattern of degradation. Finally, the obtained results show that mZVI slurries stabilized by guar gum can be prepared at pilot scale and directly injected into low permeable aquifers, indicating a significant removal of 1,1,1-TCA.

Corrosion rate estimations of microscale zerovalent iron particles via direct hydrogen production measurements

In this study, the aging behavior of microscale zerovalent iron (mZVI) particles was investigated by quantifying the hydrogen gas generated by anaerobic mZVI corrosion in batch degradation experiments. Granular iron and nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) particles were included in this study as controls. Firstly, experiments in liquid medium (without aquifer material) were performed and revealed that mZVI particles have approximately a 10-30 times lower corrosion rate than nZVI particles. A good correlation was found between surface area normalized corrosion rate (RSA) and reaction rate constants (kSA) of PCE, TCE, cDCE and 1,1,1-TCA. Generally, particles with higher degradation rates also have faster corrosion rates, but exceptions do exists. In a second phase, the hydrogen evolution was also monitored during batch tests in the presence of aquifer material and real groundwater. A 4-9 times higher corrosion rate of mZVI particles was observed under the natural environment in comparison with the aquifer free artificial condition, which can be attributed to the low pH of the aquifer and its buffer capacity. A corrosion model was calibrated on the batch experiments to take into account the inhibitory effects of the corrosion products (dissolved iron, hydrogen and OH(-)) on the iron corrosion rate.

Guar gum coupled microscale ZVI for in situ treatment of CAHs: continuous-flow column study

A column study was performed under in situ conditions to evaluate to which extend the inactivation of the microscale zerovalent iron (mZVI) by guar gum occurs under continuous flow conditions. Five aquifer containing columns were set up under different conditions. Efficient removal of trichloroethene was observed for the column amended by mZVI. Stabilization of the mZVI with guar gum led to slightly reduced activity. More reduced reactivity was observed in the poisoned column containing guar gum stabilized mZVI. This confirms that soil microorganisms can degrade guar gum and that subsequent removal of the oligosaccharides by the groundwater flow (flushing effect) can reactivate the mZVI. After more than six months of continuous operation the columns were dismantled. DNA-based qPCR analysis revealed that mZVI does not significantly affect the bacterial community, while guar gum stabilized mZVI particles can even induce bacterial growth. Overall, this study suggests that the temporarily decreased mZVI reactivity due to guar gum, has a rather limited impact on the performance of in situ reactive zones. The presence of guar gum slightly reduced the reactivity of iron, but also slowed down the iron corrosion rate which prolongs the life time of reactive zone.

Impact of carbon, oxygen and sulfur content of microscale zerovalent iron particles on its reactivity towards chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons

Zerovalent iron (ZVI) abiotically degrades several chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) via reductive dechlorination, which offers perspectives for in situ groundwater remediation applications. The difference in reactivity between ZVI particles is often linked with their specific surface area. However, other parameters may influence the reactivity as well. Earlier, we reported for a set of microscale zerovalent iron (mZVI) particles the disappearance kinetic of different CAHs which were collected under consistent experimental conditions. In the present study, these kinetic data were correlated with the carbon, oxygen and sulfur content of mZVI particles. It was confirmed that not only the specific surface area affects the disappearance kinetic of CAHs, but also the chemical composition of the mZVI particles. The chemical composition, in addition, influences CAHs removal mechanism inducing sorption onto mZVI particles instead of dechlorination. Generally, high disappearance kinetic of CAHs was observed for particles containing less oxygen. A high carbon content, on the other hand, induced nonreactive sorption of the contaminants on the mZVI particles. To obtain efficient remediation of CAHs by mZVI particles, this study suggested that the carbon and oxygen content should not exceed 0.5% and 1% respectively. Finally, the efficiency of the mZVI particles may be improved to some extent by enriching them with sulfur. However, the impact of sulfur content on the reactivity of mZVI particles is less pronounced than that of the carbon and oxygen content.

Reactivity screening of microscale zerovalent irons and iron sulfides towards different CAHs under standardized experimental conditions

A standardized batch test procedure was developed and used to evaluate the reactivity of twelve newly designed microscale zerovalent iron (mZVI) particles and two biogenic iron sulfides towards a mixture of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) and their breakdown products. For comparison, commercially available mZVIs, nanoscale zerovalent irons (nZVIs), iron sulfides (FeS) and granular zerovalent iron were also tested. Reactivity of the particles was based on observed (kobs) and mass normalized (kM) pseudo-first-order degradation rate constants, as well as specific surface area normalized reaction rate constants (kSA). Sorption characteristics of the particles were based on mass balance data. Among the new mZVIs, significant differences in reactivity were observed and the most reactive particles were identified. Based on kM data, nZVI degraded the examined contaminants one to two orders of magnitude faster than the mZVIs. kM values for biogenic iron sulfides were similar to the least reactive mZVIs. On the other hand, comparison of kSA data revealed that the reactivity of some newly designed mZVIs was similar to highly reactive nZVIs, and even up to one order of magnitude higher. kSA values for biogenic iron sulfides were one to two orders of magnitude lower than those reported for reactive mZVIs.

Reactivity recovery of guar gum coupled mZVI by means of enzymatic breakdown and rinsing

Microscale zerovalent iron (mZVI) reduces chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) to harmless compounds, but the sedimentation of the mZVI particles in the injection fluid limits the injectability of the particles during field applications. In this study, mZVI particles in suspension were stabilized by green polymer guar gum, which had a positive impact on mZVI stability, but decreased the reactivity of the particles towards CAHs by 1 to 8 times. Guar gum (GG) was found to adsorb onto the mZVI surface, inhibiting contact between the chlorinated compounds and the reactive iron surface. Indications were found for intermolecular hydrogen bonding between mZVI and the guar gum. Subsequent addition of commercially available enzymes resulted in the cleavage of the polysaccharide guar gum into lower molecular fragments, but not in improved reactivity. The reactivity recovery of guar gum coupled mZVI was recovered after intensive rinsing of the iron particles, removing the guar gum fragments from the particles. Overall, this study shows that CAHs can be treated efficiently by guar gum stabilized mZVI after reactivation by means of enzymatic breakdown and rinsing.