Influence of Bacteria and Plant on Effects of Zero-valent Iron Nanoparticles

Abstract

The increased potential release of engineered nanomaterial products during their use and disposal has become a viable threat, particularly if its release affects the environment. Thus, the interaction of nanomaterial in environmental matrices is significant in understanding the risk of potential exposure and/or uptake by the biota. This research tested whether four different types of nanoscale zero-valent iron nanoparticles (commercial, surface modified with organic and inorganic, and metal doping) are toxic to bacteria and plant, specifically Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis (bacterial species) and Arabidopsis thaliana (plant), as they may be exposed to nanoscale zero-valent iron nanoparticles when applied to remediate polluted soil. It is important to understand the interactions of engineered nanomaterials with bacterial species and plants as they form an essential base of ecosystems. Both bacterial species and Arabidopsis thaliana shown to be sensitive to the nanoscale zero-valent iron nanoparticles. These findings can help in the design of the environment-friendly catalyst for the groundwater remediation which further propels to investigate the nanomaterial behavior in the environment.