Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

This is an application for filtration equipment will be used to capture nanoparticles and a centrifuge that is needed to prepare the samples for microanalysis. The tangential flow unit is a gentle method of extracting nanoparticles without changing them. It provides an accurate method of measuring the quantity of nanoparticles in a sample because the membranes that capture the particles do not get clogged as they do with other types of filtration. The solution flows across a relatively large filter membrane with a pore size that will prevent any particles greater than the desired size from passing through. Since the flud is pumped across rather than directly through the membrane, the larger particles do not accumulate on the membrane surface and clog it. Instead, they are swept away by the tangential, or cross flow.The second item requested is a centrifuge required to separate the solution from the particles retained on the membrane surface. This is needed so that the particles can be examined using an electron microscope to determine their amount and nature. For our first project, we will use the tangential flow unit to filter water draining from mine waste and mineral deposits and determine how much of the arsenic and potentially harmful metals are carried as colloids that escape conventional water filters. This is important because the geochemical and biological behaviour of metal carried in nanoparticles is dramatically different than metal carried in larger particles or metal that is dissolved. Secondly, the equipment will be used to test how barrier systems such as geomembranes and geosynthetic clay liners contain manufactured carbon nanoparticles. The potential release of carbon nanoparticles to the environment is raising concerns since the health risk associated with these new products is not well understood. The research program supported by this equipment will train 2 PhD, 2 MSc students, and 1 PDF in using state-of-the-art equipment. Both research projects have the ultimate aim of protecting Canadian water resources by studying the mobility of potential nanoparticulate pollutants. Our research results will benefit Canadians by improving methods of pollution prevention near metal mines and landfills.