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The grounds

What are probable scenarios for nanoparticles in the grounds?

According to their size, nanoparticles can be more or less strongly adsorbed on the particles of the ground by surface effects. The migration in the ground of the nanoparticles depends on their properties, on the physical characteristics of the ground, and on climatic. Besides, these particles become vectors by fixing the other substances.

Ground characteristics and climatic conditions effects

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Sandy zone.

Several studies have shown that the texture of the grounds has a primary influence on the nanomaterial behavior [G. Cornelis et al., Environmental science and technology 45 (2011) 2777-2782 / T.Y. Sun et al., Environmental Pollution 185 (2014) 69-76]. The retention and the mobility of the nanoparticles seem to be linked.

Some studies suggest that nanomaterials have a weak mobility in the grounds [D. Kasel et al., Environmental Pollution 180 (2013) 152-158 / G. Cornelis et al., Science of the Total Environment 463-464 (2013) 120-130]. It would be a weak risk from the transport of these contaminants off-site toward subterranean waters or neighboring sites. These results are still to be confirmed considering that the number of studies conducted is weak.

The composition of the ground solution, in particular its ionic strength and its ph, seem to influence the mobility of the nanoparticles [Y. Wang et al., Journal of Nanoparticle Research 14 (2012) 1-9 / G. Chen et al., Environmental Science and Technology 46 (2012) 7142-7150].

Nanoparticles have a tendency to agglomerate when the ionic strength increases. The agglomerates, less mobile than insolated nanoparticles, are more retain in the ground.