Quantification of Capillary Force Acting on Colloids in a Three-phase Model System of Partially Saturated Porous Media

Colloid transport in the vadose zone has gained increasing importance due to groundwater contamination of colloidal-size pathogens and colloid-facilitated transport of contaminants. Although colloid transport in saturated system is well understood, the presence of air phase in partially saturated zone poses an additional challenge for elucidating the mechanisms of the colloid transport. Capillary forces that occur when a colloid protrudes through water film around the grain or near air-water meniscus-solid interface has been identified as the major mechanism for colloid retention. Capillary force could be several orders of magnitude greater than the electrostatic DLVO force. Our current study investigates the effect of colloid surface properties, fluid chemistry, and film thickness on capillary force and associated meniscus configuration in a three-phase model system consisting of a particle protruding out of a spread film. Particles ranging from 100 to 600 micrometer are used as surrogates for colloids since the menisci of colloids cannot be visualized using currently available microscopic resolution. In our experimental setup, menisci configuration of soda-lime glass beads and polystyrene beads are visualized with high resolution Hirox digital bright field microscope in dionized water and solutions of 1:1 electrolyte (NaCl), 1:2 electrolyte (CaCl2), natural organic matters, and anionic, cationic or nonionic surfactants. The hydrophilic glass beads can be made hydrophobic by treating with octadecyltrichlorosilane, while the hydrophobic polystyrene can be made hydrophilic by carboxylation. The film thickness is also varied by allowing for evaporation. Contact angle, radius of three-phase contact line, and other relevant parameters for calculation of capillary force are measured. The changes of surface properties, fluid chemistry, and film thickness are expected to result in the observable changes of capillary force and associated meniscus configuration. This explorative research is expected to contribute to our understanding the colloid transport in partially saturated porous media at the pore-scale.