Publication Date:
2012-10-01
Description:
Deposition of colloids on mineral and rock surfaces is an important mechanism to alter surface reactivity and to govern contaminant migration. Particle retention in aquifers occurs predominantly under electrostatically unfavorable conditions owing to the prevailing negative charge of both mineral colloids and rock surfaces. Mineral and rock surfaces show often an irregular surface topography and roughness variations over several orders of magnitude. This complicates the colloid-surface attachment predictability and results in poor understanding towards retention efficiency.Here we study the impact of submicron-scale morphology on the interaction between rock surfaces and mineral colloids. Colloid retention experiments using micrite surfaces were performed under electrostatically unfavorable conditions. Results showed a positive and linear correlation between adsorbed particle density and surface roughness (RMS roughness
Print ISSN:
0002-9599
Electronic ISSN:
1945-452X
Topics:
Geosciences
