NanH20 (Nanoparticles in water)
Objectives
The project’s general objective is to develop methods for characterising and assessing risks for nanoparticles in water. Specifically:
- developing analytical methods for the assay of nanoparticles in water
- providing recommendations concerning the physico-chemical properties of the nanoparticles requiring measurement, ion addition to their concentration, to assess the risks related thereto
- developing knowledge of the mobility and future of nanoparticles in underground waters to better characterise their transfer to underground water intakes, for example.
The project aims to complement the work programme proposed in the context of the NANOGRa project (Moerman ISSeP tender 2013). The latter includes a relatively detailed evaluation of the “source” components and the “impact” of the risk. The NanH2O project is mainly interested in the “transfer” component of the risk for water/underground water aspects. In the NANOGRA project, it is assays in sediment and biota which are proposed. The NanH2O project proposes the development of an assay method in the waters.
Scientific approach
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- WP1: Selection of the types of nanoparticles to be studied
The nanoparticles present in the environment are of various types and natures. The proposal is to focus research efforts on a limited number of nanoparticles selected based on their occurrence in the environment, depending on the types of application concerned or due to high toxicity already established. This choice will be made in line with the options selected in the context of the NANOGRA project- WP 1.1 Choice of the nanoparticles to be studied
State of knowledge concerning nanoparticles in aquatic environments and identification of a limited number (2 or 3) of nanoparticles - WP 1.2 Physico-chemical properties of the nanoparticles selected
Characterisation of the nanoparticles selected in WP1.1. Determination of the basic physico-chemical properties (size, form, surface load, etc.) and agglomeration/dispersion properties
- WP 1.1 Choice of the nanoparticles to be studied
- WP2: Development of laboratory methods for measuring nanoparticles in water
Laboratory method to be developed based on (i) equipment already available to the ISSeP, (ii) options selected in the context of the NANOGRA project, and (iii) the expertise already available at the ULg. - WP3: Characterisation of the transport of nanoparticles in porous environments – Laboratory scale
Collaborations to be developed with the ULg- WP 3.1 Column tests – classic inert tracers
- WP 3.2 Column tests – nanoparticles
- WP 3.2 Modelling of transport at laboratory scale
- WP4: Characterisation of the transport of nanoparticles in porous environments – Site scale
Collaborations to be developed with the ULg and EWTS (classic tracing tests)- WP 4.1 Choice of pilot site and preliminary characterisations
- WP 4.2 Tracing tests at site level – classic inert tracers and nanoparticles
- WP 4.3 Modelling of transport at site scale
- WP1: Selection of the types of nanoparticles to be studied