Citation:

Shah, V., Todd Peter Luxton, V. Walker, T. Brumfield, J. Yost, S. Shah, J. Wilkinson, AND M. Kambhampati. Fate and Impact of Zero-Valent Copper Nanoparticles on Geographically-Distinct Soils. D.Barcelo Culleres, and Jay Gan (ed.), SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT. Elsevier BV, AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, 573:661-670, (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.08.114

Impact/Purpose:

The purpose of the manuscript and research was to identify key soil chemical properties that are responsible for the degradation/dissolution of Engineered Nanomaterials. Developing a clear understanding of the most important variables controlling the fate and persistence of nanomaterials is critical for making accurate risk assessments for potential exposure and health effects associated with the introduction of nanomaterials to soil environments.

Description:

The fate of engineered zero-valent copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) in soils collected from geographically-distinct regions of the continental United States and incubated under controlled conditions was investigated with respect to NP affinity for soil surfaces and changes in speciation, as well as their impact on bacterial communities. Soil geochemical properties had a great influence on Cu NP migration and transformation. Translocation of Cu NPs was low in soils enriched in organic matter and high in clay and sandy soils. X-ray absorption spectroscopic analysis showed that the highest rates for transformation to Cu ions and adsorption complexes was in acidic soils. Although there was some change in overall bacterial community richness at the level of order in experimental soil, the level of perturbation was evident in side-by-side comparisons of orders using a 50% microbial community change value (MCC₅₀). This assessment revealed that generally, Sphingomonas, known for its importance for remediation, and Rhizobiales, symbiotic partners with certain plants appeared susceptible to Cu NPs and their transformation products. The ecological importance of organisms from these orders and its greater vulnerability to Cu NPs suggests need for future targeted studies.

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