Lab-scale simulation of the fate and transport of nano zero-valent iron in subsurface environments: Aggregation, sedimentation, and contaminant desorption

► Aggregation, sedimentation, and Cr/As desorption of three NZVIs were investigated. ► Aggregation of the NZVIs was associated with the critical sizes for sedimentation. ► Sedimentation of NZVIs was related to the concentrations and average particle sizes. ► Desorption of both As and Cr in the presence of NOM was observed for all NZVIs. ► The desorption of Cr was linearly related to the release of iron ions.