Research Highlights: Evaluating nanomaterial behavior and risks for the development of sustainable in situ remediation

Published

April 4, 2016

Author(s)

John M. Pettibone, Stacey M. Louie

Abstract

Nanomaterials are currently being used for in situ remediation of soils and groundwater. However, their improvement and continued use for a sustainable approach requires a more complete understanding of the ecological impact, which should include the transport through the subsurface, acute, chronic and long term effects of exposure, and the role of nanomaterial characteristics (e.g., composition, surface coating). In the current highlight, three articles that examine different aspects of the nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) transport, reactivity or exposure to model organisms are summarily reported, which advance the development of more sustainable remediation approaches. The first study examines the role of a model biofilm on the transport of different Pd-doped nZVI species through granulated media, and also examined the associated nanomaterial toxicity to the forming and sessile bacteria. The second study examines the multigenerational reproductive impacts of C. elegans resulting from nZVI exposure. Lastly, the resulting products of nZVI reactivity with U(VI) species at environmentally relevant molar ratios are examined, and a thorough analysis of the resulting products are reported, which provide valuable data for predicting the consequential role nZVI remediation will have on the ecosystem at and near contaminated sites.

Citation

Royal Society of Chemistry Journal Environmental Science: Nano

Volume

3

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

DOI Link

Citation

Pettibone, J. and Louie, S. (2016), Research Highlights: Evaluating nanomaterial behavior and risks for the development of sustainable in situ remediation, Royal Society of Chemistry Journal Environmental Science: Nano, [online], https://doi.org/10.1039/C6EN90006B (Accessed May 8, 2026)

Additional citation formats