Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
understanding economic growth-environmental relationships. Then, we will review the
effect of policy tools as well as technological improvement on reshaping the EKC, i.e., tun-
neling of the EKC. A few important aspects of this phenomenon are discussed. The next
section deals with the case of nanotechnology in water with an analysis of underground
water remediation using iron nanoparticles. In the last section, an investigation of the
interrelationship between technology and policy leads us to a series of integrated technology-
policy guidelines focusing on international cooperation.
18.2 Nano Zerovalent Iron (nZVI) Particles in
Underground Water Remediation
Groundwater is an important source of drinking water worldwide. Most groundwater is
clean; however, it can become polluted as a result of human activities/economic growth.
There is a range of remedial methods for groundwater treatment; however, they are quite
labor intensive, marginally effective, and involve substantial expense to implement (BCC
Research Report, 2010). Nanotechnology offers a number of emerging technologies that
appear very promising. One of these methods is in situ underground remediation via iron
nanoparticles. The reason for choosing this method is that it is well documented and has
a strong economic justiication.
nZVI is a nanoparticle proving to be useful in the environmental remediation of con-
taminated groundwater and soil. Because of its large surface area, nZVI is highly reactive.
It has several advantages over macroscale iron for in situ remedial applications. The iron
nanoparticles typically are mixed into sludge and injected into the ground where they
form a permeable barrier that cleans groundwater. In addition, iron nanoparticles can be
delivered to any depth or geological coniguration. The important attribute is that they can
remain catalytically active for up to 8 weeks.
In the nano-remediation of underground water, reactive nanoparticles are employed for
transformation and detoxiication of pollutants on site or below ground. No ground-
water is pumped out for above-ground treatment, and no soil is transported to other places
for treatment and disposal. In this method, the nanoparticle slurry is injected into the
ground without any speciic machinery. Then, the nanoparticles migrate into the ground
and inluence their effect on the pollutants.
18.2.1 Technology Life Cycle
Ingredients of the technology life cycle are illustrated in Figure 18.1. In this section, each
component is explained for the case of the application of nZVI in underground remediation.
Research and
development
Technology
transfer
Technology
adoption
Commercialization
FIGURE 18.1
Technology life cycle.
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