Linking micro-aggregation to the sequestration of organic pollutants in soil (DFG LA 1398/7)
Projektverantwortlich
Projektbeschreibung
Aggregation processes of (organo)mineral associations are assumed to be key processes for the formation and functioning of biogeochemical interfaces in soil. However, a direct link between the forces which induce aggregation and aggregate functioning is still missing. Our hypothesis is that interparticle forces control the diffusion of organic substances within aggregates by shaping the porosity, structure and stability of aggregates. We will analyze aggregates, which we synthesize from different primary particles (goethite, koalinite) using different methods to induce aggregate formation (increase of ionic strength, addition of polyvalent cations, addition of organic polyelectrolytes). Interparticle forces within the aggregates will be calculated based on dynamic light scattering (DLS) and the heat of aggregation (titration calorimetry). The calculations will be validated exemplarily by AFM measurements. In addition we will characterize the porosity, the structure and the stability of the artificial aggregates as well as the particle fraction < 250 nm of soils and artificial soil materials of the SPP 1315 central experiment. Results will be related to the diffusion of the pollutants into the aggregates, derived from sorption/desorption experiments and nanoSIMS analyses.
Teilprojekt des SPP 1315: Biogeochemical Interfaces in soil