Journal Article

A Quantum Statistical Approach to Remediation Effect of Humic Substances

N. Aleksandrova, Olga, Matthies, Michael, Schulz, Marcus

2011

Overview

Among various remediation factors, dissolved organic matter including humic substances (HS) has substantial effect on environmental contamination significantly changing the contaminant’s degradation, bioavailability, reactivity, and immobilization. However, the effects strongly depend on HS concentrations and their aromaticity index (AI). To understand underlying phenomena of remediation action of HS, which is revealed to occur within a definite interval of HS concentrations in water solution, a quantum statistical approach is supposed. Developing this approach, a model of protons as Fermi particles in humic substances was advanced for the first time and applied to describe transformations of HS molecules, i.e., multipoles into micelle structures, which in turn provide for mediating effects in water. Sufficiently high concentration of micelle granules in water solution exists if the concentration of HS lies within a definite interval. It was demonstrated applying a grand canonical Gibbs distribution method to a statistical ensemble of HS particles. Our approach allows for understanding and quantifying some biological and physiological processes connected with mediating action of HS, as for example the reversible red cell aggregation influenced by HS, adsorption of HS particles by cancer cells, and effect of HS on human resistibility to inflammatory processes of different kinds. Application of our results to water systems may be helpful to optimize waste processing and disposal.

• Publisher: Springer Netherlands,Springer,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Analysis / Applied sciences / Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution / Bioavailability / Biodegradation / Bioremediation / Biotechnology / Carbon / Cell aggregation / Chemical elements / Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts / Contaminants / Continental surface waters / Dissolved organic matter / Earth and Environmental Science / Earth sciences / Earth, ocean, space / Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics / Environment / Environmental degradation / Environmental effects / Environmental monitoring / Exact sciences and technology / Heavy metals / Humic acid / Humic acids / Hydrogeology / Immobilization / Micelles / Natural water pollution / NMR / Nuclear magnetic resonance / Organisms / Physiology / Pollution / Pollution, environment geology / Protons / Remediation / Soil contamination / Soil microorganisms / Soil Science & Conservation / Spectrum analysis / Statistical models / Studies / Surface water / Water Quality/Water Pollution / Water treatment and pollution