Abstract
The use of nanoscale zero-valent iron particles (nZVI) for soil remediation is gaining increased attention. However, there are concerns about the potential adverse effects of nZVI on soil microbial communities and, hence, soil quality. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the application of nZVI on soil microbial parameters (as bioindicators of soil quality) during the nanoremediation of a soil artificially contaminated with lindane (10 mg γ-HCH kg-1 DW soil) and zinc (1,500 mg Zn kg-1 DW soil). nZVI were also applied to non-contaminated soil. The following nZVI doses were applied twice: 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg nZVI g-1 DW soil. Nine weeks after nZVI application, the following parameters were determined in soil samples: lindane concentration, extractable Zn concentration, microbial biomass carbon (CMB), bacterial and fungal abundance (gene copy numbers by qPCR), enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, β-glucosaminidase, xylosidase, acid phosphatase, arylsulphatase and Leu-aminopeptidase) and bacterial richness by ARISA profiles. The application of nZVI reduced lindane and extractable Zn concentrations following a dose-dependent pattern. The presence of contaminants reduced soil microbial biomass and activity. The application of nZVI negatively affected the microbial quality of the contaminated soil but not of the non-contaminated soil. This observation might reflect a “stress-on-stress” effect, i.e. the already stressed microbial populations present in the contaminated soil were more sensitive to the application of nZVI (a second stress) than those present in the non-contaminated soil.
Highlights
Microorganisms are known to play key roles in soil and other ecosystems (Epelde et al, 2015)
The objective of this study was to assess the impact of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) application on soil microbial parameters during the nanoremediation of soil artificially contaminated with lindane (10 mg kg−1 dry weight (DW) soil) and zinc (1,500 mg kg−1 DW soil)
Fungal abundance in contaminated soil was significantly lower at 4 mg nZVI g−1 DW soil, compared to soil without nZVI
Summary
Microorganisms are known to play key roles in soil and other ecosystems (Epelde et al, 2015). Among the newer methods of remediation, nanoremediation is nZVI Effects on Soil Quality becoming a promising technology. Owing to their high reactivity, nanoparticles, such as nanoscale zero-valent iron particles (nZVI), are being extensively used for environmental remediation (Tosco et al, 2014). The majority of microbiological studies on nZVI toxicity have been performed with single bacterial pure cultures and short-term exposures (Xie et al, 2017) These studies have reported contrasting results regarding the effect of nZVI on bacteria and fungi (Lefevre et al, 2016; Semerád and Cajthaml, 2016). Much research is needed on the ecotoxicity of nanoparticles in complex environmental matrices such as the soil
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