Simulation output results for fate and transformation of nano copper oxide in Lake Waccamaw, NC

This work simulated the release of nano copper oxide from boats in Lake Waccamaw, NC for 101 years. Throughout the duration of this study, steady state was not reached, suggesting that concentrations continue to increase during this time. Simulations showed that nano copper oxide and ionic copper accumulated to the highest concentrations in the surface sediments, followed by the deeper sediments. The simulations were sensitive to the heteroaggregation attachment efficiency, which is a function of lake water chemistry and thus site specific. Simulations with lower attachment efficiencies resulted in lower concentrations of nano copper oxide in surface water and sediments, while higher attachment efficiencies showed higher concentrations of nano copper oxide. These results suggest the importance of water chemistry on the potential ecological impact of nano copper oxide. Additionally, a modeling scenario was performed where the use of nano copper oxide on boats ceased after 50 years. Simulated results showed a phase where concentrations of nano copper oxide and ionic copper dropped, followed by a slower reduction in simulated concentrations. In the water column, ionic copper reaches a higher concentration, yet recovery concentrations decrease faster, while nano copper oxide concentrations are lower in the accumulation phase and end up higher in the recovery phase. These results have implications on the potential long-term effects of the use of nano copper oxide. This dataset is associated with the following publication: Ross, B., and C. Knightes. Simulation of the Environmental Fate and Transformation of Nano Copper Oxide in a Freshwater Environment. ACS ES&T Water. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, USA, 2(9): 1532–1543, (2022).

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  "020:00"
]

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[
  "https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.2c00157",
  "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9469096"
]