Chapter 6 - Interaction of nanoparticles with soil

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) have gained increased use globally owing to their widespread use in day-to-day human lives, their unique properties, and rapid development in the area of nanotechnology. In the course of their application in various fields, it is proposed that soil the ecosystem, which is a natural matrix, is the final environmental sink of NPs. Therefore this chapter explores the sources and transport of NPs into the soil. The characteristics of NPs (e.g., size, shape, surface chemistry, and water solubility) that influence the various processes and fate of NPs in soil are also discussed. These processes are very important since the environmental behavior of NPs plays a vital role in their mobility, reactivity, toxicity, and potential risk to soil biota. This chapter also describes the interactions of NPs with soil abiotic properties. Understanding the influences of NPs on soil abiotic factors is particularly important since soil environmental conditions directly dictate the impacts of NPs on soil biotic components. Therefore the chapter will contribute to the better understanding of the fate/behavior and interaction of NPs with the soil