Environmental transformation and nano-toxicity of engineered nano-particles (ENPs) in aquatic and terrestrial organisms
Qumber Abbasa, Balal Yousafa✉, Habib Ullaha, Muhammad Ubaid Alia, Yong Sik Okb, Jörg Rinklebec d✉
- aCAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, PR China
- bKorea Biochar Research Center & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- cDepartment of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, Sejong University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- dSchool of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Soil- and Groundwater-Management, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
- ✉Corresponding author
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Abstract
The rapid development in nanotechnology and incorporation of engineered nano-particles (ENPs) in a wide range of consumer products releasing the massive quantities of ENPs in different environmental compartments. The released ENPs from nano-enabled products during their life cycle raising environmental health and safety issues. This review addresses the recent state of knowledge regarding the ENPs ecotoxicity to various organisms lying at different trophic levels. Studies show that reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated oxidative stress is the primary mechanism of nano-toxicity, either through physical damage by direct contact or release of toxic ions after ENPs dissolution process. Moreover, ENPs uptake, transformation and toxicity on physio-morphological, biochemical and molecular levels in primary producers of terrestrial environment (plants) were also reviewed. Additionally, the intrinsic detoxification mechanism in plants in response to ENPs accumulation was also examined. In the end different sustainable approaches such as biogenic synthesis, clay minerals role, biochar application, bioremediation, and legislative measures are proposed for effective handling and treatment of nano-wastes to get the maximum benefits of nanotechnology with minimum negative outcomes.