Chapter 4 - Biophysicochemical transformations of ENMs in soil

Abstract

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are increasingly entering the environment causing the disruption of the ecosystems on Earth. The evaluation of these ecological disruptions has been challenging, since it is complicated to carry out experiments at environmentally relevant concentrations of ENMs under field conditions. Limitations to test the ENMs at the ecosystem-scale are not only experimental. It is important to consider the multiple interactions and transformations, i.e., biological, physical, and chemical of engineered nanomaterials in soil, which may be mediated by its intrinsic conditions which can vary widely. Aggregation and suspension behaviors of ENMs determine their fate and transport in porous media; however, there are several factors influencing their final destination in soil, for example, organic matter content, pH, size distribution of particles, water, and ionic strength. In this chapter, we discuss fundamental concepts related to soil, its components and factors that influence the fate of ENMs; the source, types and fate of these new nanosized materials and their impact on biotic and abiotic soil components are also reviewed. Finally, it is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the phenomena related to the presence of ENMs in soil and provide meaningful knowledge to facilitate the comprehension of the impacts of these potentially toxic materials on environment.