Fate and Transport of Engineered Nanomaterials in the Environment

Abstract

With the fast development of nanotechnology, engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) will inevitably be introduced into the various environment. Increasing studies showed the toxiccity of various ENMs, which raises concerns over their fate and transport in the environment. This review focuses on advances in the research on environmental transport and fate of ENMs. Aggregation and suspension behaviors of ENMs determining their fate and transport in aqueous environment are discussed, with emphasis on the influencing factors, including natural colloids, natural organic matter, pH, and ionic strength. Studies on the transport of ENMs in porous media and its influencing factors are reviewed, and transformation and organismcleansing, as two fate routes of ENMs in the environment, are addressed. Future research directions and outlook in the environmental transport and fate of ENMs are also presented.