A Review on the Impact of Silver Nanoparticles on Soil Microorganisms and Bioremediation as Heavy Metal Removal Technology

Hartati Oktarina,Teuku Mukhriza

doi:10.32672/jse.v6i2.2892

Abstract

The increasing and varied use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as antimicrobial on consumer products increases the risk of the nanomaterial release into the environment and potentially harm beneficial microorganisms in soil. Any change in soil microbial composition will lead to soil quality degradation that eventually reduce crop productivity. The negative effect of AgNPs on soil microorganism has been reported by researchers. There are technologies employed to remove heavy metals from soil such as chemical, physical, and biological technique. However, chemical and physical techniques have some disadvantages e.g high cost and partial removal. Therefore, biological technique including the use of microorganisms (bioremediation) become more favourable. The technique is considered as cost effectiveness and environmentally sustainable method. The present paper summarizes the impact of AgNPs on soil microorganisms and the use of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, algae, and yeast) to eliminate heavy metals pollution in soil.

Highlights

Nanoparticles are particles with size between 1 and 100 nanometres (1.0 nm = 10 m)
The increasing and varied use of AgNPs as antimicrobial on consumer products increases the risk of the nanomaterial release into the environment and potentially harm beneficial microorganisms in soil
The present paper summarizes the impact of AgNPs on soil microorganisms and the potential of microorganisms to remove heavy metals contamination

Summary

Introduction

[25] Found that the surface charge of the AgNPs can affect the bactericidal activity of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria They claimed that surface charge is one of the most important factors that need to be considered in evaluating the toxicity of AgNPs into the environment. Bioremediation is a process that primarily uses microbial or plant enzymes to reduce the toxicity level of heavy metal as pollutant [27]. Due to this reason, the present paper summarizes the impact of AgNPs on soil microorganisms and the potential of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, algae, and yeast) to remove heavy metals contamination

Material and Methods

Discussion

Findings

Conclusion