Evaluación del riesgo ambiental de las nanopartículas de plata (AgNPs) en ecosistemas acuáticos
(English) The widespread and increasing use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in various products is leading to their release into different environmental compartments, especially into aquatic environments. These particles can enter these environments through various pathways, for example, gradually v...
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| Formato: | tesis doctoral |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2024 |
| País: | España |
| Recursos: | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) |
| Repositorio: | UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC |
| Idioma: | español |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/452513 |
| Acesso em linha: | https://hdl.handle.net/2117/452513 https://dx.doi.org/10.5821/dissertation-2117-452513 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palavra-chave: | 502 - Natura. Estudi, conservació i protecció de la natura Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Desenvolupament humà i sostenible |
| Resumo: | (English) The widespread and increasing use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in various products is leading to their release into different environmental compartments, especially into aquatic environments. These particles can enter these environments through various pathways, for example, gradually via effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) or accidentally through spills onto soil or into rivers. This thesis presents a detailed analysis of the transport (advection-dispersion) and dispersion of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in both surface and groundwater, considering mass balances, various mathematical models, and factors influencing their mobility and retardation. For surface waters, continuous and point discharges are considered, and an analytical model is used to represent the behavior of AgNPs in the river. For groundwater, point discharges are considered. The interaction of AgNPs with porous media in groundwater (retardation process) is also taken into account, which allows for the calculation of the maximum concentration of AgNPs in groundwater. Initially, a Fuzzy Logic model is developed to assess the environmental risk in aquatic ecosystems based on the concentration and toxicity of AgNPs. The toxicity is determined with great adaptability by including variables such as shape, size, and coating of the nanoparticles, allowing a more accurate risk assessment. This model is applied to a discharge of AgNPs into the river from WWTP effluents or an accident. The results show that in all cases, the risk of AgNPs due to direct accidental discharge into the river poses a higher risk than that from WWTPs. Subsequently, a hybrid model is developed that integrates Monte Carlo simulation (for concentration calculation) with the developed Fuzzy Logic model. This integration provides a tool for assessing the environmental risk of AgNPs due to a spill onto the soil. Two scenarios are proposed after the spill: discharge of AgNP-contaminated aquifer water into the river and use of this aquifer water for wetland recharge. The concentration distribution of AgNPs by river discharge is below the proposed legal limit, while in the wetland use scenario, legal limits are not met in any case, indicating a higher risk associated with this latter use. After conducting a sensitivity analysis, it has been proved that the developed Hybrid model, which combines Fuzzy Logic and Monte Carlo techniques, is a useful and versatile tool for managing uncertainty in risk assessment. |
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