Nanoscale characterization of the sequestration and transformation of silver and arsenic in soil organic matter using atom probe tomography and transmission electron microscopy

Abstract

This study investigates the sequestration of silver and arsenic ions in soil organic matter at the nanoscale using the combination of atom probe tomography, transmission electron microscopy, ion mill thinning and scanning electron microscopy.

Nano-mineral assemblages in mercury- and silver-contaminated soils: records of sequestration, transformation, and release of mercury- and silver-bearing nanoparticles

“…elementary Cu and Ag) are commonly embedded in protective mineral- or organic matter-matrices. 29,30 However, the preparation of epoxy pucks and FIB sections exposes air-sensitive phases to the atmosphere and thus the former pucks and latter sections were stored in an exicator. We recognized that the partial oxidation of amalgam-bearing-nanoparticles in the epoxy pucks and FIB sections could never be completely avoided, and the potential occurrence of alteration halos was considered when processing SEM and TEM data.…”