Fate, Transport and Toxicity of Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron (nZVI) Used During Superfund Remediation
Abstract
As a result of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986, the
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has increased consideration and
implementation of newer and more efficient innovative technologies to treat wastes
rather than the traditional “dig-and-haul” and “pump-and-treat” methods for removing
contaminated soils and groundwater from the site (U.S. EPA 2008b). One such emerging
field that holds potential for cleaning up Superfund sites in a more cost effective
and efficient manner is nanotechnology.
The impacts of nanotechnology are increasingly evident in all areas of science and
technology, including the field of environmental studies and treatment. Experts anticipate
the development and implementation of environmentally beneficial nanotechnologies
in the categories of sensing and detecting, pollution prevention, and treatment and
remediation. Of the three, the category of treatment and remediation has experienced
the most growth in recent years. In terms of site remediation, the development and
deployment of nanotechnology for contaminant destruction has already taken place.
Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) particles and the subsequent derivatives (bimetallic
iron particles and emulsified iron) represent a viable, commercially available nanotechnology
for in situ remediation at Superfund and other contaminated sites. Responsible use
of nZVI in environmental applications and careful management of the associated risks
requires a fundamental understanding of their mobility, potential bioavailability/bioaccumulation
and impacts on a wide variety of organisms. Currently this fundamental understanding
of the environmental fate of nZVI and its oxidation products is not well understood
for the variety of environmental conditions that may occur.
In general, the high tendency of bare nZVI to agglomerate indicates that migration
in the groundwater should not be an issue for groundwater drinking wells, streams
and other bodies of water. This agglomeration will also limit the risk of human and
environmental exposure to nZVI used for remediation. Issues, however, may exist for
organisms in the environment that are directly exposed to the nZVI before much oxidation
of the particles takes place. Concerns may also exist with incomplete conversion of
certain contaminants and the offsite mobilization of contaminants that bind to the
nZVI. Understanding the fate, transport and toxicity of nZVI in its early phases of
use is essential before the technology can be used on a large scale.
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/2172Citation
Keane, Emily (2010). Fate, Transport and Toxicity of Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron (nZVI) Used During Superfund
Remediation. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/2172.Collections
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