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dc.contributor.advisorHuang, Yongheng
dc.contributor.advisorSmith, Patricia
dc.creatorHammons, Jessica Lynn
dc.date.accessioned2012-02-14T22:20:41Z
dc.date.accessioned2012-02-16T16:19:22Z
dc.date.available2012-02-14T22:20:41Z
dc.date.available2012-02-16T16:19:22Z
dc.date.created2011-12
dc.date.issued2012-02-14
dc.date.submittedDecember 2011
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/ETD-TAMU-2011-12-10627
dc.description.abstractMobilization of colloidal particulate matter (most important, clay particles) from a soil matrix in the subsurface environment is an important environmental process. As many contaminants tend to adsorb onto various colloidal mineral particles, co-transport of contaminants in association with mobilized particles could contribute significantly to the migration of these contaminants in the environment. Numerous studies have observed the effects of pH on colloid mobilization but have overlooked the possible direct role of acidity. This study looked at the role of acidity with H⁺ as a chemical agent. Through cyclic elution of a natural sand column with a weak acid and base solution, there was an increase in mobilized clay colloids. It was found that low concentrations of organic acids could assist in detaching surface clays through lysing of labile Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions. The H⁺ ions sever the chemical bonds between the grain surface and the colloidal surface by being substituted for the interstitial Ca and Mg ions. This substitution has been found to release over 1 kg of surface clay per 1 mole of H⁺ consumed. It was postulated that pH oscillation addition to proton dynamics could play a major role in subsurface colloid transport. The results from this study could help improve predicting of subsurface contaminant fronts and aid in managing contaminant transport in the soil water environments.en
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.subjectColloid Mobilizationen
dc.subjectAcidityen
dc.subjectHClen
dc.subjectContaminant transporten
dc.titleRole of Acidity in Mobilizing Colloidal Particulate Matter From Natural Sand Grain Surfaceen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.departmentBiological and Agricultural Engineeringen
thesis.degree.disciplineBiological and Agricultural Engineeringen
thesis.degree.grantorTexas A&M Universityen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen
thesis.degree.levelMastersen
dc.contributor.committeeMemberKarthikeyan, R.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberFeagin, Rusty
dc.type.genrethesisen
dc.type.materialtexten


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