Nanomaterials for water pollution monitoring and remediation

Water shortage and pollution are serious challenges for many countries. Nanomaterials are promising new tools for water quality management due to unique physicochemical properties, high economic benefit, high removal efficiency and environmental friendliness. Here we describe four types of nanomaterials used for water treatment: nanofiltration membranes, photocatalytic nanomaterials, adsorption nanomaterials and reducing nanomaterials. We discuss their properties, applications and mechanisms for pollutant removal. We also review nanomaterials used for water quality monitoring, notably nanomaterials used for the detection of trace pollutants and pathogens. These nanomaterials include carbon nanotubes, magnetic nanoparticles, noble metal nanomaterials and quantum dots.     

Nanomaterials for environmental burden reduction, waste treatment, and nonpoint source pollution control: a review

Nanomaterials are applicable in the areas of reduction of environmental burden, reduction/treatment of industrial and agricultural wastes, and nonpoint source (NPS) pollution control. First, environmental burden reduction involves green process and engineering, emissions control, desulfurization/denitrification of nonrenewable energy sources, and improvement of agriculture and food systems. Second, reduction/treatment of industrial and agricultural wastes involves converting wastes into products, groundwater remediation, adsorption, delaying photocatalysis, and nanomembranes. Third, NPS pollution control involves controlling water pollution. Nanomaterials alter physical properties on a nanoscale due to their high specific surface area to volume ratio. They are used as catalysts, adsorbents, membranes, and additives to increase activity and capability due to their high specific surface areas and nano-sized effects. Thus, nanomaterials are more effective at treating environmental wastes because they reduce the amount of material needed.     

Nanotechnology applications in pollution sensing and degradation in agriculture: a review

With the rise in the global population, the demand for increased supply of food has motivated scientists and engineers to design new methods to boost agricultural production. With limited availability of land and water resources, growth in agriculture can be achieved only by increasing productivity through good agronomy and supporting it with an effective use of modern technology. Advanced agronomical methods lay stress not only on boosting agricultural produce through use of more effective fertilizers and pesticides, but also on the hygienic storage of agricultural produce. The detrimental effects of modern agricultural methods on the ecosystem have raised serious concerns amongst environmentalists. The widespread use of persistent pesticides globally over the last six decades has contaminated groundwater and soil, resulting in diseases and hardships in non-target species such as humans and animals. The first step in the removal of disease causing microbes from food products or harmful contaminants from soil and groundwater is the effective detection of these damaging elements. Nanotechnology offers a lot of promise in the area of pollution sensing and prevention, by exploiting novel properties of nanomaterials. Nanotechnology can augment agricultural production and boost food processing industry through applications of these unique properties. Nanosensors are capable of detecting microbes, humidity and toxic pollutants at very minute levels. Organic pesticides and industrial pollutants can be degraded into harmless and often useful components, through a process called photocatalysis using metal oxide semiconductor nanostructures. Nanotechnology is gradually moving out from the experimental into the practical regime and is making its presence felt in agriculture and the food processing industry. Here we review the contributions of nanotechnology to the sensing and degradation of pollutants for improved agricultural production with sustainable environmental protection.     

纳米材料的环境行为及其毒理学研究进展

随着纳米科技的迅速发展,纳米材料被广泛应用于工业、农业、食品、日用品、医药等领域.在纳米材料广泛应用的同时,其不可避免地会被释放到环境中(包括水体、空气和土壤),对生态系统产生不利影响.与常规物质相比,纳米材料具有独特的物理、化学性质,其对生态系统生物种群和个体的潜在负面影响不容忽视.在总结国内外相关研究基础上,论文对纳米材料在水体、大气和土壤中的环境行为和生态毒性进行了综述.     

Nanomaterials for agriculture,food and environment: applications,toxicity and regulation

Nanotechnology is expected to have a beneficial influence on agriculture, food and environment, due to the unique properties of nanomaterials. However, little is known about their safety and potential toxicity. Here we review metal nanoparticles, nanometal oxides, carbon nanotubes, liposomes and dendrimers. We present the application of these nanomaterials in agriculture, food and environment for plant protection; disease treatment; packing materials; development of new tastes, textures and sensations; pathogen detection; and delivery systems. We discuss risk assessment of nanomaterials and toxicological impacts of nanomaterials on agriculture, food and environment. We then provide regulatory guidelines for the safer use of nanomaterials.     

包装材料及食品中纳米材料的检测与表征技术

随着纳米技术的发展,纳米材料在包装行业及食品工业中得到了广泛的应用。然而,纳米材料的安全应用高度依赖于对其生物及环境效应的了解。有研究表明,纳米材料对人类健康及生态环境存在着潜在危害,这使得纳米材料的安全性成为毒理学领域的热点研究课题。同时纳米材料的安全性问题也成为纳米复合包装材料及纳米食品研究和开发的新瓶颈。在对纳米材料没有充分认识的情况下,为了消费者和生态环境的安全,必须控制包装材料及食品中纳米颗粒的种类、来源、含量及可能的释放,这就需要可靠的方法对纳米颗粒的性质和结构进行检测及表征。首先,综述了目前纳米材料在复合包装材料及食品加工中的应用,然后总结了包装材料及食品中纳米材料的检测技术及表征方法,例如显微技术、色谱分离技术、光谱与质谱技术等。由于纳米材料的理化性质参数众多,应用多种分析手段来检测和表征纳米材料成为必然。最后对目前检测技术及表征方法的不足和今后发展方向进行了探讨。     

Toxic impact of nanomaterials on microbes,plants and animals

Nanotechnology has many potential applications in medical, agriculture, electronic and sports industries. Nonetheless, there is actually little knowledge on toxic effects of nanomaterial. Here we review nanotoxicity, action mechanisms and fate of nanomaterials. We discuss the impact of nanotoxicity on microbes, plant, animal and human health, and factors like size, shape, surface charge, composition, ionic concentration and physiological. We explain the detection of nanotoxicity at cell and genome levels. Toxicities of commercial nanomaterials, risk management, rules and regulations regarding marketed nanoproducts are also summarized.     

人工纳米材料对贝类生态毒理效应的研究进展

纳米技术已成为21世纪发展最迅猛的技术领域之一。纳米材料因其具备新异的物理、化学特性而广泛应用于各种领域,包括农业,电子工业,生物医学,制造业,医药品和化妆品等,因此纳米颗粒不可避免会释放到水环境中。贝类由于其具有分布广,处于食物链中的关键位置,滤食食性,对重金属及污染物有较强的生物累积能力,且很多贝类具有养殖和商业价值,因而纳米颗粒对贝类的生态毒性效应备受关注。本文通过对已有相关研究成果进行归纳分析,重点阐述了3方面的内容:1)人工纳米材料在水环境中的行为;2)贝类作为水生污染监测指示生物的重要意义;3)人工纳米材料对贝类的毒性效应,主要包括贝类对纳米颗粒摄取、积累和转移,并从组织细胞水平,分子和基因水平,胚胎发育和个体生长水平等阐述了纳米材料对贝类的毒性效应。     

Phosphorus in Phoenix: a budget and spatial representation of phosphorus in an urban ecosystem

As urban environments dominate the landscape, we need to examine how limiting nutrients such as phosphorus (P) cycle in these novel ecosystems. Sustainable management of P resources is necessary to ensure global food security and to minimize freshwater pollution. We used a spatially explicit budget to quantify the pools and fluxes of P in the Greater Phoenix Area in Arizona, USA, using the boundaries of the Central Arizona-Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research site. Inputs were dominated by direct imports of food and fertilizer for local agriculture, while most outputs were small, including water, crops, and material destined for recycling. Internally, fluxes were dominated by transfers of food and feed from local agriculture and the recycling of human and animal excretion. Spatial correction of P dynamics across the city showed that human density and associated infrastructure, especially asphalt, dominated the distribution of P pools across the landscape. Phosphorus fluxes were dominated by agricultural production, with agricultural soils accumulating P. Human features (infrastructure, technology, and waste management decisions) and biophysical characteristics (soil properties, water fluxes, and storage) mediated P dynamics in Phoenix. P cycling was most notably affected by water management practices that conserve and recycle water, preventing the loss of waterborne P from the ecosystem. P is not intentionally managed, and as a result, changes in land use and demographics, particularly increased urbanization and declining agriculture, may lead to increased losses of P from this system. We suggest that city managers should minimize cross-boundary fluxes of P to the city. Reduced P fluxes may be accomplished through more efficient recycling of waste, therefore decreasing dependence on external nonrenewable P resources and minimizing aquatic pollution. Our spatial approach and consideration of both pools and fluxes across a heterogeneous urban ecosystem increases the utility of nutrient budgets for city managers. Our budget explicitly links processes that affect P cycling across space with the management of other resources (e.g., water). A holistic management strategy that deliberately couples the management of P and other resources should be a priority for cities in achieving urban sustainability.     

Environmental friendly food nano-packaging

Nanotechnology has found many applications in various fields. Nanotechnology promises many interesting changes for a better life, such as to improve health, wealth, products and quality of life, as well as reducing impact on the environment. Food nano-packaging is, however, still poorly developed despite several potentials to improve packaging materials and functions. This article reviews recent advances in food nano-packaging, including bio-based packaging, improved packaging, active packaging and smart packaging. Bio-based packaging, including biodegradable packaging and biocompatible packaging, is an alternative to actual packaging that uses non-degradable plastic polymers. Improved packaging focusses on nanomaterials that improve barrier properties, strength, flexibility and stability. Active packaging is based upon active nanomaterials such as antimicrobials and oxygen scavenging materials. Smart packaging refers to smart functions provided by nanomaterials, such as nanosensors and nanodevices that detect freshness or monitor changes in packaging integrity.     

Nanomaterials for water cleaning and desalination,energy production,disinfection, agriculture and green chemistry

Nanomaterials may help to solve issues such as water availability, clean energy generation, control of drug-resistant microorganisms and food safety. Here we review innovative approaches to solve these issues using nanotechnology. The major topics discussed are wastewater treatment using carbon-based, metal-based and polymeric nanoadsorbents for removing organic and metal contaminants; nanophotocatalysis for microbial control; desalination of seawater using nanomembranes; energy conversion and storage using solar cells and hydrogen-sorbents nanostructures; antimicrobial properties of nanomaterials; smart delivery systems; biocompatible nanomaterials such as nanolignocellulosis and starches-based materials, and methods to decrease the toxicity of nanomaterials. Significantly, here it is reviewed two ways to palliate nanomaterials toxicity: (a) controlling physicochemical factors affecting this toxicity in order to dispose of more safe nanomaterials, and (b) harnessing greener synthesis of them to bring down the environmental impact of toxic reagents, wastes and byproducts. All these current challenges are reviewed at the present article in an effort to evaluate environmental implications of nanomaterials technology by means of a complete, reliable and critical vision.     

Nano-inspired systems in food technology and packaging

Creation of food-based nanomaterials for food processing and packaging applications is actually gaining in importance. Indeed, the design of a suitable food carrier system controls the encapsulation efficiency, the product stability and release of bioactives such as micronutrients, antimicrobial compounds and antioxidants. The smaller size of nanomaterials provides higher thermodynamic and kinetic stability. Whereas the higher surface area enhances compound solubility. Nanoemulsions both encapsulate bioactive compounds effectively and address the food safety concerns of the fresh produce associated with foodborne pathogens. Nanoliposomes encapsulate bioactive whey peptides and fat-soluble vitamins with improved functionalities. Encapsulated bioactive molecules are released by diffusion into the surrounding environment after degradation of the surrounding polymeric matrix.     

二氧化钛纳米材料的环境健康和生态毒理效应

伴随着纳米科技的迅猛发展,各式各样的纳米材料被开发和生产出来,逐步进入到周围环境及生命体中,纳米材料的生物安全性和生态毒理学问题已引起了社会各界的普遍关注.纳米二氧化钛(TiO2)因具有良好的光催化特性、耐化学腐蚀性和热稳定性,而被广泛应用于涂料、废水处理、杀菌、化妆品、食品添加剂和生物医用陶瓷材料等与日常生活紧密相关的领域,因此,其将不可避免地进入环境和生态系统中引起相应的生物学效应(毒理学).论文从流行病学调查和实验研究两方面出发,综述了纳米TiO2对生物体(皮肤、肺、肝、肾和脑)、细胞(细胞膜、细胞生长和凋亡)和生态系统的影响,探讨了其毒性产生的可能机制.希望今后进一步加强对纳米TiO2的环境健康和生态毒性研究,以建立纳米TiO2的环境健康安全暴露评价体系,促进纳米技术的健康、安全和可持续发展。     

Metallic nanoparticles: green synthesis and spectroscopic characterization

Metallic nanoparticles are finding new applications in medical, pharmaceutical, food and agriculture sectors. Applications include drug delivery, targeted cancer remedies, biomarker mapping, gene delivery and molecular imaging. This article reviews green strategies for the preparation of metallic nanoparticles, using enzymes, vitamins, monosaccharides, polysaccharides and biodegradable polymers. Microwave-assisted synthesis is detailed. Then, we review nanoparticle characterization using UV–visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We also present applications for water purification.     

Applications of nanomaterials in water treatment and environmental remediation

Nanotechnology has revolutionized plethora of scientific and technological fields; environmental safety is no exception. One of the most promising and well- developed environmental applications of nanotechnology has been in water remediation and treatment where different nanomaterials can help purify water through different mechanisms including adsorption of heavy metals and other pollutants, removal and inactivation of patho- gens and transformation of toxic materials into less toxic compounds. For this purpose, nanomaterials have been produced in different shapes, integrated into various composites and functionalized with active components. Nanomaterials have also been incorporated in nanostructured catalytic membranes which can in turn help enhance water treatment. In this article, we have provided a succinct review of the most common and popular nanomaterials （titania, carbon nanotubes （CNTs）, zero-valent iron, dendrimers and silver nanomaterials） which are currently used in environmental remediation and particularly in water purification. The catalytic properties and functionalities of the mentioned materials have also been discussed.     

Nanotechnology innovations,industrial applications and patents

Nanotechnology can be defined as the use of nanomaterials for human benefit. Nanomaterials have unique properties due to their physical and chemical characteristics at the nanoscale (10^?9 nm). Nowadays, nanotechnology is providing new products in all industrial sectors. This article reviews innovations in fields such as biomedical, diagnosis of diseases, therapeutics, agriculture and food, nanofertilizers, oil, gas, textile and cosmeceuticals and packaging. Recent trends of patents and scholarly publications in nanotechnology are also discussed.     

Applications and genotoxicity of nanomaterials in the food industry

The use of nanomaterials in industrial sectors is currently widely accepted because of their unique beneficial properties. However, those unique properties can also induce toxic effects. Toxicity responses are induced by kinetic, dynamic, and catalytic properties, and by functionalization, net particle reactivity, agglomeration, and functional environment. Here, we review nanomaterial applications in food and consumer industries, genotoxic mechanisms, methods to study nanomaterials, and factors of toxicity.     

持久性有机污染物的作物吸收及迁移模型研究进展

持久性有机污染物(Persistent Organic pollutant,POPs)是指通过各种环境介质(大气、水、生物体等)能够长距离迁移并长期存在于环境中的人工合成的有机污染物。本文阐述了全球POPs的主要环境过程和各环境介质中POPs的暴露水平,探讨了作物对POPs的吸收过程、吸收机制和生态效应,并基于现有的环境多介质逸度模型和根区水质模型,分析了持久性有机污染物作物吸收过程模拟模型中存在的问题及未来的发展方向。目前,对POPs作物吸收机制及其模拟的研究较少,但随着我国对粮食安全和农业可持续发展的持续关注,这一领域的模拟研究将对科学解析POPs归趋、合理制定风险管控措施和有效确保粮食质量安全等提供重要科学支撑。     

Management of water resources of the Nile Basin

SUMMARY

A water crisis is looming in the Nile Basin in the near future due to higher population growth rates, greater affluence, and higher demand for water by agriculture and industry. There is no basin-wide agreement among the ten Nile Basin states and the existing rules of international water management are complicated and are not equipped to handle any future water conflicts in the Nile Basin. This paper reviews the existing water sharing arrangements among the Nile Basin countries, examines areas of potential conflict over future water use, and suggests possible areas of cooperation that will ensure equitable use of the Nile waters. The paper concludes by (1) appealing for formulation of good water development policies to deal with growing water needs such as water quality protection, efficiency of water delivery and efficiency of water use; and (2) calling for human resources development and technology transfers that are critical for good management and efficient use of the water resources of the Nile.     

Perspectives and applications of nanotechnology in water treatment

Industrialization and excessive use of pesticides for boosting agricultural production have adversely affected the ecosystem, polluting natural water reserves. Remediation of contaminated water has been an area of concern with numerous techniques being applied to improve the quality of naturally available water to the level suitable for human consumption. Most of these methods, however, generate by-products that are sometimes toxic. Heterogenous photocatalysis using metal oxide nanostructures for water purification is an attractive option because no harmful by-products are created. A discussion on possible methods to engineer metal oxides for visible light photocatalysis is included to highlight the use of solar energy for water purification. Multifunctional photocatalytic membranes are considered advantageous over freely suspended nanoparticles due to the ease of its removal from the purified water. An overview of water remediation techniques is presented, highlighting innovations through nanotechnology for possible addressing of problems associated with current techniques.