REM image of dust particles on spider webs
Fig.1. Application of imaging methods of bio(colloidal) phases; A) 3D Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) image of flagellated microorganism B) Scanning Electron Microscopy image of a multimineral colloidal phase
In geosciences and environmental research, small particles in the sub mm range are important actors. Due to their small size, the particles can be transported over long distances in both water and the atmosphere and they can deeply penetrate organisms. Besides, they often play a key role in sorption- and transformation processes of nutrients and contaminants as they have a large surface to volume ratio. In a variety of projects (f.e. MykoBEst, TRAVARIS, CONCERT, AquaDiva, SPIEG3L), the working group of Applied Geology investigates nanoparticles, (bio-)colloids and particulate matter using a multi-methodological approach in different environmental compartments, taking into account both natural and anthropogenic origins.
The working group of Applied Geology addresses small particles in different environmental compartments, taking into account both natural and anthropogenic origins.
Nanoparticles/(Bio)Colloids
The quantitative description of the transport-controlling processes of natural and artificial nanoparticles via the soil zone into aquifers or from the groundwater over the soil zone into the biosphere is still poorly understood. Process understanding through a so-called "bottom-up" approach using small- and mesoscale column experiments or experiments with field-scale lysimeters. Here, targeted variation of individual parameters such as specific characteristics of the collector (e.g. hydrogeochemical properties of the aquifer or soil substrate as well as fracture surfaces) or of the nanoparticles is used. This is accompanied by further work focused on the co-transport of pollutants with natural and artificial inorganic and organic nanoparticles and (bio-)colloids and especially (a) the reasons for the observed trace element desorption kinetics (sorption or structural incorporation) and (b) the model-technical description of these transport processes. For this, laboratory experiments and field work are coupled with various analytical methods also in cooperation with other working groups such as Hydrogeology and Mineralogy.
Associated: Prof. Dr. Thorsten Schäfer, Dr. Dirk Merten, Marcus Böhm, Dr. Sarah Nettemann, Steffen Hellmann, Ruth Ewouame, Valentin Gabert
Projects: MykoBEst, TRAVARIS, CONCERT, AquaDiva, SPIEG3L
Completed projects: TRANS-LARA, USER II, NacoTe
Nanopartikel Tracking Analyse