ABSTRACT
Many substances show a strong tendency to sorb readily to the solid phase of an aquifer. Commonly they are regarded to be immobile or retarded, but can be mobile as colloidal and suspended microparticles. A particle load at the “Hengsen-Island” test site (Dortmund, Germany) of less than 20 µg/l inorganic microparticles was observed, compared to 1.2–3.6 mg/l of macro-molecular organic carbon. The low particle concentration at Hengsen-Island was in good accordance derived from calculation of the particle-sediment interaction energy (DLVO-theory) and filter theory. The field results were compared with laboratory column studies.
