US EPA

157415 

Journal Article 

Review 

Aquatic environmental nanoparticles 

Wigginton, NS; Haus, KL; Hochella, MF 

2007 

Yes 

Journal of Environmental Monitoring
ISSN: 1464-0325
EISSN: 1464-0333 

9 

12 

1306-1316 

English 

18049768 

10.1039/b712709j 

WOS:000251336800002 

Researchers are now discovering that naturally occurring environmental nanoparticles can play a key role in important chemical characteristics and the overall quality of natural and engineered waters. The detection of nanoparticles in virtually all water domains, including the oceans, surface waters, groundwater, atmospheric water, and even treated drinking water, demonstrates a distribution near ubiquity. Moreover, aquatic nanoparticles have the ability to influence environmental and engineered water chemistry and processes in a much different way than similar materials of larger sizes. This review covers recent advances made in identifying nanoparticles within water from a variety of sources, and advances in understanding their very interesting properties and reactivity that affect the chemical characteristics and behaviour of water. In the future, this science will be important in our vital, continuing efforts in water safety, treatment, and remediation.