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Effect of channel bed sediment on the transport behaviour of superparamagnetic silica encapsulated DNA microparticles in open channel injection experiments
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  • Yuchen Tang,
  • Fay van Rhijn,
  • Ahmed Abdelrady,
  • J.W. Foppen,
  • Thom Bogaard
Yuchen Tang
Technische Universiteit Delft Department of Geoscience & Engineering

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Fay van Rhijn
Technische Universiteit Delft Department of Geoscience & Engineering
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Ahmed Abdelrady
Wetsus
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J.W. Foppen
Technische Universiteit Delft Department of Geoscience & Engineering
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Thom Bogaard
Technische Universiteit Delft Department of Geoscience & Engineering
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Abstract

Recently, superparamagnetic silica encapsulated DNA microparticles (SiDNAFe) were designed and in various experiments used as a hydrological tracer. We investigated the effect of bed characteristics on the transport behaviour and especially the mass loss of SiDNAFe in open channel injection experiments. Hereto, a series of laboratory injection experiments were conducted with four channel bed conditions (no sediment, fine river sediment, coarse sand, and goethite-coated coarse sand) and two water qualities (tap water and Meuse water). Breakthrough curves (BTCs) were analysed and modelled. Mass loss of SiDNAFe was accounted for as a first-order decay process included in a 1-D advection and dispersion model with transient storage (OTIS). SiDNAFe BTCs could be adequately described by advection and dispersion with or without a first-order decay process. Mass loss of SiDNAFe increased as a function of the surface roughness of the beds. Retention of SiDNAFe due to surface roughness was 1-2 orders of magnitude greater than gravitational settling rates, as determined in Tang et al. (2022). We speculate this was due to boundary layer kinetic attachment. The dispersive behaviour of SiDNAFe generally mimicked that of NaCl tracer, although SiDNAFe traveled faster on average due to a smaller effective cross-sectional area. No pattern was observed between SiDNAFe mass recovery and water qualities used. DNA concentration data uncertainty was mostly associated with lower SiDNAFe concentrations in the BTCs. This research highlights that riverbeds are important sinks, and the surface roughness affects the fate and transport characteristics of SiDNAFe when in proximity to the water-sediment interface. SiDNAFe possess promising potential as a surrogate for multi-tracing micro-contaminants (e.g., microplastics) in large rivers, which could be a promising tool for enhancing understanding of hydrological processes.
14 Mar 2023Submitted to Hydrological Processes
14 Mar 2023Submission Checks Completed
14 Mar 2023Assigned to Editor
15 Mar 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
15 Mar 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Apr 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
30 Apr 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Major
15 Jun 20231st Revision Received
20 Jun 2023Assigned to Editor
20 Jun 2023Submission Checks Completed
20 Jun 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 Jun 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
25 Jul 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
27 Jul 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
28 Jul 20232nd Revision Received
01 Aug 2023Assigned to Editor
01 Aug 2023Submission Checks Completed
01 Aug 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
01 Aug 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Aug 2023Editorial Decision: Accept