Abstract
About this talk
The growth of using engineered nanoparticle materials (ENMs) has been rapid, and their applications are extensive, particularly in personal care and cosmetics. However, concerns had raised about the impact of these particles on human health and the environment 1. They may reach the environment depending on their application by different pathways such as fresh water, via wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), sludge and soil. Silver nanoparticles Ag-NPs and ZnONPs have been selected due to a wide range of applications, unique antimicrobial properties, and the fact that they are commonly found as toxic pollutants in WWTP 2,3. A lab scale anaerobic digestion system was used to incubate both AgNPs and ZnONPs to investigate their complexation/speciation, and bioavailability to soil and microorganisms. Different characterisation techniques were applied such as transmission electron microscopy and X-ray fluorescence microscopy to map both the ENMS and to show the sulfiding and/or phosphiding that occurs during anaerobic digestion.
References:
1. Milieu Environmental Law and Policy. Final Report Environmental Exposure to Nanomaterials – Data Scoping Study November. 227 (2012).
2. Sotiriou, G. A. & Pratsinis, S. E. Antibacterial activity of nanosilver ions and particles. Environ. Sci. Technol. 44, 5649–5654 (2010).
3. Das, P., Xenopoulos, M. A., Williams, C. J., Hoque, M. E. & Metcalfe, C. D. Effects of silver nanoparticles on bacterial activity in natural waters. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 31, 122–130 (2012).
Audience Takeaway:
The transformation of engineering nanomaterials (ENMs) is vital to understand their impact after disposal and reach environmental syste
The characterization of ENMs can help to identify their bioavailability after usage
Using powerful techniques and apply data processing can help the scientist to find out the behavior of ENMs within the living organism
The morphology of microorganism before and after treatment can provide the impact of ZnONPs
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