Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An approach for the critical coagulation concentration estimation of polydisperse colloidal suspensions of soil and humus

  • SOILS, SEC 2 · GLOBAL CHANGE, ENVIRON RISK ASSESS, SUSTAINABLE LAND USE · RESEARCH ARTICLE
  • Published:
Journal of Soils and Sediments Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The critical coagulation concentration (CCC) is considered as one of the most important parameters to evaluate the particles aggregation and sedimentation behaviors in the environment. Even though there are a few methods for its measurement, each method has its limitations especially as those methods to be applied to polydisperse systems like soil. Thus, the purpose of this research is to establish a new and more reliable method for its determination.

Materials and methods

Two types of polydisperse colloidal materials were adopted: soil and humus in the experimental studies. The dynamic light scattering technique was employed to determine the effective hydrodynamic diameter of the particles or aggregates changing with time under different pH and electrolyte concentrations of CaCl2 or KCl. In addition, the fractal dimension of aggregates was also detected with the static light scattering technique.

Results and discussion

A new aggregation rate total average aggregation rate (TAA rate) was defined firstly. We found the defined TAA rate increased linearly with the increase of electrolyte concentration at electrolyte concentrations lower than the CCC value, and the TAA rate stayed approximately constant at electrolyte concentrations higher than the CCC value; an intersection point of the two straight lines therefore could be observed, and the electrolyte concentration at the intersection point will theoretically be the CCC value. The experimental results for the two materials under different pH conditions indeed meet those theoretical predictions, which imply that the CCC value can be determined through the measurement of the TAA rate under different electrolyte concentrations. The comparison of the CCC values obtained between our new method and the widely applied stability ratio method showed that the new method was much better than the stability ratio method for the two polydisperse materials. In addition, the static light scattering measurements also showed that the variations of the fractal dimensions of the aggregates with electrolyte concentrations could be well explained by the CCC values obtained by the new method, which once again verified the applicability of the new method.

Conclusions

A new theory and a corresponding new method for the CCC estimation, which can be applied to polydisperse colloidal suspensions, were developed, and the new method has been demonstrated to be much better than the widely applied method for polydisperse materials in environment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adachi Y, Koga S, Kobayashi M, Inada M (2005) Study of colloidal stability of allophane dispersion by dynamic light scattering. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 265(1/3):149–154

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amal R, Coury JR, Raper JA, Walsh WP, Waite TD (1990) Structure and kinetics of aggregating colloidal hematite. Colloids Surf 46(1):1–19

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bergstrom L (1997) Hamaker constants of inorganic materials. Adv Colloid Interface 70:125–169

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berka M, Rice J (2004) Absolute aggregation rate constants in aggregation of kaolinite measured by simultaneous static and dynamic light scattering. Langmuir 20(15):6152–6157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Borda T, Celi L, Zavattaro L, Sacco D, Barberis E (2011) Effect of agronomic management on risk of suspended solids and phosphorus losses from soil to waters. J Soils Sediments 11:440–451

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Broide ML, Cohen RJ (1992) Measurements of cluster-size distributions arising in salt-induced aggregation of polystyrene microspheres. J Colloid Interface Sci 153(2):493–508

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burns JL, Yan Y, Jameson GJ, Biggs S (1997) A light scattering study of the fractal aggregation behavior of a model colloidal system. Langmuir 13(24):6413–6420

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cahill J, Cummins PG, Staples EJ, Thompson L (1986) Aggregate size distribution in flocculating dispersions. Colloids Surf 18(2/4):189–205

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen G (2012) S. typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 retention and transport in agricultural soil during irrigation practices. Eur J Soil Sci 63:239–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen KL, Mylon SE, Elimelech M (2006) Aggregation kinetics of alginate-coated hematite nanoparticles in monovalent and divalent electrolytes. Environ Sci Technol 40(5):1516–1523

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Derrendinger L, Sposito G (2000) Flocculation kinetics and cluster morphology in illite/NaCl suspensions. J Colloid Interface Sci 222(1):1–11

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nadeu E, de Vente J, Martínez-Mena M, Boix-Fayos C (2011) Exploring particle size distribution and organic carbon pools mobilized by different erosion processes at the catchment scale. J Soils Sediments 11:667–678

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Einarson MB, Berg JC (1993) Electrosteric stabilization of colloidal latex dispersions. J Colloid Interface Sci 155(1):165–172

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frenkel H, Fey MV, Levy GJ (1992) Organic and inorganic anion effects on reference and soil clay critical flocculation concentration. Soil Sci Soc Am J 56:1762–1766

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • García-García S, Wold S, Jonsson M (2007) Kinetic determination of critical coagulation concentrations for sodium- and calcium-montmorillonite colloids in NaCl and CaCl2 aqueous solutions. J Colloid Interface Sci 315(2):512–519

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gedan H, Lichtenfeld H, Sonntag H, Krug H (1984) Rapid coagulation of polystyrene particles investigated by single-particle laser-light scattering. J Colloid Surf 11(1/2):199–207

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giles D, Lips A (1978) Light-scattering method for study of close range structure in coagulating dispersions of equal sized spherical-particles. J Chem Soc Faraday Trans 1 74:733–744

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hanus LH, Hartzler RU, Wagner NJ (2001) Electrolyte-induced aggregation of acrylic latex. 1. Dilute particle concentrations. Langmuir 17(11):3136–3147

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He YT, Wan JM, Tokunaga T (2008) Kinetic stability of hematite nanoparticles: the effect of particle size. J Nanopart Res 10:321–332

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heidmann I, Christl I, Kretzschmar R (2005) Aggregation kinetics of kaolinite-fulvic acid colloids as affected by the sorption of Cu and Pb. Environ Sci Technol 39(3):807–813

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hiemenz PC (1986) Principles of colloid and surface chemistry, 2nd edn. Marcel Dekker: CRC, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Hesterberg D, Page AL (1990) Flocculation series test yielding time-invariant critical coagulation concentrations of sodium illite. Soil Sci Soc Am J 54:729–735

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holthoff H, Egelhaaf SU, Borkovec M, Schurtenberger P, Sticher H (1996) Coagulation rate measurements of colloidal particles by simultaneous static and dynamic light scattering. Langmuir 12(23):5541–5549

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kuwatsuka S, Watanabe A, Itoh K, Arai S (1992) Comparison of 2 methods of preparation of humic and fulvic-acids, IHSS method and NAGOYA method. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 38(1):23–30

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang XQ, Liu J, Chen YX, Li H, Ye YS, Nie Z, Su MM, Xu ZH (2010) Effect of pH on the release of soil colloidal phosphorus. J Soils Sediments 10:1548–1556

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lichtenbelt JW, Pathmama C, Wiersema PH (1974a) Rapid coagulation of polystyrene latex in a stopped-flow spectrophotometer. J Colloid Interface Sci 49(2):281–285

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lichtenbelt JW, Ras HJM, Wiersema PH (1974b) Turbidity of coagulating lyophobic sols. J Colloid Interface Sci 46(3):522–527

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lips A, Smart C, Willis E (1971) Light scattering studies on a coagulating polystyrene latex. J Chem Soc Faraday Trans 67(586):2979–2988

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lips A, Willis E (1973) Low-angle light-scattering technique for study of coagulation. J Chem Soc Faraday Trans 69(7):1226–1236

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mantegazza F, Giardini ME, Degiorgio V, Asnaghi D, Giglio M (1995) Electric birefringence study of reaction-limited colloidal aggregation. J Colloid Interface Sci 170(1):50–56

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews BA, Rhodes CT (1970) Studies of coagulation kinetics of mixed suspensions. J Colloid Interface Sci 32(2):332–338

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Novich BE, Ring TA (1985) Photon-correlation spectroscopy of a coagulating suspension of illite platelets. J Chem Soc Faraday Trans 1 81:1455–1457

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ottewil RH, Shaw JN (1966) Stability of mono-disperse polystyrene latex dispersions of various sizes. Discuss Faraday Soc 42:154–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pelssers EGM, Cohen Stuart MA, Fleer GJ (1990) Single particle optical (SPOS): II. Hydrodynamic forces and application to aggregating dispersions. J Colloid Interface Sci 137(2):362–372

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reerink H, Th J, Overbeek G (1954) The rate of coagulation as a measure of the stability of silver iodide sols. Discuss Faraday Soc 18:74–84

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perdriala N, Perdriala JN, Delphinb JE, Elsassa F, Liewig N (2010) Temporal and spatial monitoring of mobile nanoparticles in a vineyard soil: evidence of nanoaggregate formation. Eur J Soil Sci 61:456–468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rick AR, Arai Y (2010) Role of natural nanoparticles in phosphorus transport processes in ultisols. Soil Sci Soc Am J 75:335–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saejiew A, Grunberger O, Arunin S, Favre F, Tessier D, Boivin P (2004) Critical coagulation concentration of paddy soil clays in sodium–ferrous iron electrolyte. Soil Sci Soc Am J 68:789–794

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith B, Wepasnick K, Schrote KE, Bertele AH, Ball WP, O’Melia C, Fairbrother DH (2009) Colloidal properties of aqueous suspensions of acid-treated, multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Environ Sci Technol 43(3):819–825

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Virden JW, Berg JC (1992) The use photon-correlation spectroscopy for estimating the rate-constant for doublet formation in an aggregating colloidal dispersion. J Colloid Interface Sci 149(2):528–535

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang DJ, Bradford CA, Paradelo M, Peijnenburg WJGM, Zhou DM (2012) Facilitated transport of copper with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles in saturated sand. Soil Sci Soc Am J 76:375–388

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weitz DA, Lin MY, Linday HM (1991) Universality laws in coagulation. Chemom Intell Lab 10(1/2):133–140

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiong Y, Chen JF, Zhang JS (1985) Soil Colloid (Vol 2): methods for soil colloid research. Science, Beijing, pp 7–31, in Chinese

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeichner GR, Schowalter WR (1979) Effects of hydrodynamic and colloidal forces on the coagulation of dispersions. J Colloid Interface Sci 71(2):237–253

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou DM, Wang DJ, Cang L, Hao XZ, Chu LY (2011) Transport and re-entrainment of soil colloids in saturated packed column: effects of pH and ionic strength. J Soils Sediments 11:491–503

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu HL, Li B, Xiong HL (2009) Dynamic light scattering study on the aggregation kinetics of soil colloidal particles in different electrolyte systems. Acta Phys Chim Sin 25:1225–1231, in Chinese

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (40971146), the National Basic Research Program of China (grant no. 2010CB134511), and the Natural Science Foundation Project of CQ CSTC.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, People’s Republic of China

    Mingyun Jia, Hang Li, Hualing Zhu, Rui Tian & Xiaodan Gao

  2. State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, People’s Republic of China

    Mingyun Jia

Authors
  1. Mingyun Jia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hang Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hualing Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Rui Tian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Xiaodan Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hang Li.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Ying Ouyang

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jia, M., Li, H., Zhu, H. et al. An approach for the critical coagulation concentration estimation of polydisperse colloidal suspensions of soil and humus. J Soils Sediments 13, 325–335 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-012-0608-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-012-0608-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation