Bacterial transport in groundwater was affected by TiO2.
Retention of bacteria and TiO2 nanoparticles was enhanced when both are present.
Heteroaggregation and electrostatic interactions controlled the deposition and retention.
TiO2 attachment to the sand was explained by electrostatic forces. TiO2 acted as bond between bacteria and sand.
DLVO and classical filtration theories were used to model the interactions between particles and between particles and sand.