Stofferngennem

Stofferngennem is a term used in some Nordic environmental science discussions to describe the process by which substances pass through barriers such as soils, membranes, or polymers. The concept covers transport mechanisms including diffusion, advection, sorption/desorption, and phase transfer, and it highlights the coupling of processes across interfaces.

Etymology and usage: The word combines Danish roots stof (substance) and gennem (through). It is not standardized; researchers use it to refer to related phenomena, sometimes focusing on multi-physics coupling or specific media.

Theoretical framework: Stofferngennem is typically described with multi-physics models that blend Fickian diffusion, Darcy flow, and, for charged species, the Nernst-Planck equation. Sorption isotherms (Langmuir, Freundlich) and degradation or reaction terms are often included. Numerical solutions rely on finite element or finite difference methods, with boundary conditions representing interfaces between phases.

Applications: It has relevance in environmental engineering for risk assessment and groundwater remediation, in soil science for contaminant transport, and in polymer science and packaging to study permeability and durability.

Limitations and criticism: The term lacks a single standardized definition, and its use can overlap with established concepts such as mass transport, permeation, or diffusion through porous media. Some scholars advocate for more precise terminology to avoid ambiguity.

See also: diffusion, permeation, mass transfer, porous media transport.