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Zhang H, Zhou Q, Liu R, Zhao Z, Liu J, Siddique KHM, Mao H. Enhancing zinc biofortification and mitigating cadmium toxicity in soil-earthworm-spinach systems using different zinc sources. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 476:135243. [PMID: 39029182 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) pollution poses significant threats to soil organisms and human health by contaminating the food chain. This study aimed to assess the impact of various concentrations (50, 250, and 500 mg·kg-1) of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), bulk ZnO, and ZnSO4 on morphological changes and toxic effects of Cd in the presence of earthworms and spinach. The results showed that Zn application markedly improved spinach growth parameters (such as fresh weight, plant height, root length, and root-specific surface area) and root morphology while significantly reducing Cd concentration and Cd bioconcentration factors (BCF-Cd) in spinach and earthworms, with ZnO NPs exhibiting the most pronounced effects. Earthworm, spinach root, and shoot Cd concentration decreased by 82.3 %, 77.0 %, and 75.6 %, respectively, compared to CK. Sequential-step extraction (BCR) analysis revealed a shift in soil Cd from stable to available forms, consistent with the available Cd (DTPA-Cd) results. All Zn treatments significantly reduced Cd accumulation, alleviated Cd-induced stress, and promoted spinach growth, with ZnO NPs demonstrating the highest Cd reduction and Zn bioaugmentation efficiencies compared to bulk ZnO and ZnSO4 at equivalent concentrations. Therefore, ZnO NPs offer a safer and more effective option for agricultural production and soil heavy metal pollution management than other Zn fertilizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyue Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agri-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qianqian Zhou
- Lanzhou Industry Research Institute, Lanzhou 730050, Gansu, China
| | - Ruiyu Liu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zimo Zhao
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jinshan Liu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kadambot H M Siddique
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6001, Australia
| | - Hui Mao
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agri-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.
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Zhang M, Wang W, Zhang D, Zhang Y, Yang Z, Li Y, Fang F, Xue Y, Zhang Y. Copper oxide nanoparticles impairs oocyte meiosis maturation by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 185:114441. [PMID: 38218586 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Copper oxides nanoparticles (CuO NPs) are widely used for a variety of industrial and life science applications. In addition to cause neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, immunotoxicity, CuO NPs have also been reported to adversely affect the reproductive system in animals; However, little is known about the effects and potential mechanism of CuO NPs exposure on oocyte quality, especially oocyte maturation. In the present study, we reported that CuO NPs exposure impairs the oocyte maturation by disrupting meiotic spindle assembly and chromosome alignment, as well as kinetochore-microtubule attachment. In addition, CuO NPs exposure also affects the acetylation level of α-tubulin in mice oocyte, which hence impairs microtubule dynamics and organization. Besides, CuO NPs exposure would result in the mis-localization of Juno and Ovastacin, which might be one of the critical factors leading to the failure of oocyte maturation. Finally, CuO NPs exposure impairs the mitochondrial distribution and induced high levels of ROS, which led to the accumulation of DNA damage and occurrence of apoptosis. In summary, our results indicated that CuO NPs exposure had potential toxic effects on female fertility and led to the poor oocyte quality in female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mianqun Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Wei Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, General Hospital of WanBei Coal Group, Suzhou, 234000, China
| | - Yiwen Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Zaishan Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Yunsheng Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Fugui Fang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Yanfeng Xue
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230036, China.
| | - Yunhai Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230036, China.
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Gomes SIL, Chidiamassamba SB, Trindade T, Scott-Fordsmand JJ, Amorim MJB. Environmental hazards of WELGRO® Cu+Zn: A nano-enabled fertilizer. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 336:122469. [PMID: 37648058 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Nanoagrochemicals have the potential to revolutionize agriculture towards a precision farming system, able to reduce application rates and consequently their environmental footprint, while keeping efficacy. Several nanoagrochemicals (including nanopesticides (Npes) and nanofertilizers (Nfer)) are already commercialized but the environmental risk assessment of these advanced materials is often lacking. In the present study, we studied the commercial fertilizer WELGRO® Cu + Zn and assessed its ecotoxicity to the soil invertebrate species Enchytraeus crypticus (Oligochaeta), further comparing it to its individual active substances CuO and ZnO. To get a comprehensive picture of possible effects, we used four types of highly relevant tests in LUFA 2.2 soil: 1) avoidance behaviour (2 days), 2) reproduction (OECD standard, 28 d), 3) its extension (56 d), and 4) the full life cycle (FLC) (46 d) - this high level of hazard screening allows for increased interpretation. The results confirmed the nano-features of WELGRO® and a higher toxicity than the mixture of the individual components CuO + ZnO. E. crypticus avoided the soil spiked with WELGRO® and CuO + ZnO, this being the most sensitive endpoint - avoidance behaviour. Both WELGRO® and the active substances were little to non-toxic based on the OECD standard test. However, the toxicity dramatically increased in the tests focussing on longer-term sustainability measures, i.e., 56 days, ca. 170 for WELGRO®. This seems related to the nano-features of WELGRO®, e.g., slow release of ions from the nanoparticles throughout time. The FLCt results showed WELGRO® affected hatching and juveniles' survival, being these the most sensitive life stages. Hence, under actual real world field usage scenarios, i.e., based on the recommended application rates, nanoenabled WELGRO® can affect oligochaete populations like enchytraeids, both via the immediate avoidance behaviour and also via prolonged exposure periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana I L Gomes
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | | | - Tito Trindade
- Department of Chemistry & CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | | | - Mónica J B Amorim
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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Singh K, Thakur SS, Ahmed N, Alharby HF, Al-Ghamdi AJ, Al-Solami HM, Bahattab O, Yadav S. Ecotoxicity assessment for environmental risk and consideration for assessing the impact of silver nanoparticles on soil earthworms. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11167. [PMID: 36339990 PMCID: PMC9626949 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are found in a range of commercial products due to their proven antibacterial properties. The unused silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) may make its way into the soil via biosolids that come from wastewater treatment or the effluent that comes from industrialisation processes, where it could be harmful to the organism that live in terrestrial ecosystems. In addition, silver ions are one of the most toxic forms of heavy metal released from dissolved silver nitrate (AgNO3) and AgNPs through dissolution or oxidation. The study examined the effect of engineered AgNPs, and AgNO3 on earthworms which are one of the most important bioindicator for determining toxicity in soil environment. Epigeic earthworm, Eudrilus eugeniae was exposed to soils spiked with equivalent concentrations of AgNPs or AgNO3 at 0, 10, 100, and 200 mg kg−1 in soil for 56 days of experiments. The survival and growth rate was recorded at 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th days and accumulation of Ag in earthworm tissue at 14th and 28th days, antioxidant enzymes at 28th days and reproduction at 56th days of experiment. Further, a short-term exposure of AgNPs and AgNO3 was conducted to observe avoidance behaviour after 48 h of exposure. The result indicated that survivability was relatively low on exposure of AgNO3 (83.3%) than AgNPs (86.7%) in 200 mg kg−1 spiked soils, besides the growth was inhibited in both AgNPs (3.68%) and AgNO3 (3.25%) at 28th days. The uptake of Ag from AgNO3 in the earthworm tissue was slightly higher than uptake of Ag from AgNPs and it showed concentration-dependent inhibitory effects on reproduction. In AgNO3 spiked soil, a high level of the Malondialdehyde (MDA) based lipid peroxidation and increased activity of antioxidant enzyme catalase (CAT) was observed than AgNPs spiked soil. Similarly, glutathione (GSH), a cofactor for GPx and GST enzymes, was lower in AgNO3-spiked soil than in AgNPs-spiked soil. In terms of avoidance behaviour, there was no discernible difference between the distribution of earthworms in AgNPs and AgNO3 after 48 h. The study found E. eugeniae exhibits concentration-dependent alterations in its competence to survive, antioxidant enzymes, and reproduction. AgNO3 was found to be more sensitive than AgNPs in the study. The research investigates the effect of AgNPs on earthworms in the soil ecosystem since this understanding is crucial for a comprehensive evaluation of AgNPs' environmental consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Singh
- Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Sagar, 470003, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Samrendra Singh Thakur
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Sagar, 470003, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Nazeer Ahmed
- Department of Agriculture, University of Swabi, Anbar, 23561, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Hesham F. Alharby
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah J. Al-Ghamdi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Habeeb M. Al-Solami
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar Bahattab
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shweta Yadav
- Department of Zoology, School of Biological Sciences, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University), Sagar, 470003, Madhya Pradesh, India,Corresponding author.
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Yang Q, Liu Y, Qiu Y, Wang Z, Li H. Dissolution kinetics and solubility of copper oxide nanoparticles as affected by soil properties and aging time. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:40674-40685. [PMID: 35088280 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-18813-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nano copper oxide (CuO NP) was added to eight soils to study the effect of aging time of copper on the concentration of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extracted copper (DTPA-Cu), with bulk copper oxide (CuO BP) and copper nitrate [Cu(NO3)2] used for comparison. Moreover, the effect of soil properties on the dissolution of CuO NP was studied. A dissolution model was used to quantitatively describe the dissolution kinetics of CuO NPs in different soils. The results showed that the concentration of DTPA-Cu decreased with increasing aging time in soils spiked with Cu(NO3)2, while the concentration increased to varying degrees in soils spiked with CuO NPs or CuO BPs. In acidic soils, the equilibrium concentrations of DTPA-Cu were 93.3-98.7 mg·kg-1 for CuO NP treatments, 65.5-94.3 mg·kg-1 for CuO BP treatments, and 81.4-90.0 mg·kg-1 for Cu(NO3)2 treatments, which were greater than those in alkaline soils (43.4-56.9 mg·kg-1, 6.26-8.61 mg·kg-1, and 73.9-80.0 mg·kg-1, respectively). In acidic soils, DTPA-Cu equilibrium concentration ranked the different forms of copper treatments as CuO NPs > Cu(NO3)2 > CuO BPs, while in alkaline soils, the order was Cu(NO3)2 > CuO NPs > CuO BPs. The dissolution rate constants and solubility of CuO NPs were 0.33-6.42 and 37.1-100.1 mg·kg-1, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the dissolution parameters of CuO NPs were negatively correlated with soil pH and positively correlated with the contents of organic matter, clay, iron oxides, and aluminum oxides. Further, the dissolution rate constant and solubility of CuO NPs could be well predicted by soil pH and the content of free or amorphous aluminum. Our study identified the main factors controlling the dissolution of CuO NPs in farmland soils and highlighted the higher availability of CuO NPs in acidic soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Yang
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Yinghao Liu
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Yanhua Qiu
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Zhilin Wang
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China
| | - Helian Li
- School of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan, 250022, China.
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Li X, Wu L, Zhou J, Luo Y, Zhou T, Li Z, Hu P, Christie P. Potential environmental risk of natural particulate cadmium and zinc in sphalerite- and smithsonite-spiked soils. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 429:128313. [PMID: 35074749 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd)-bearing sphalerite and smithsonite ore particles are ubiquitous in soils near metal-mining areas. Previous studies indicate that smithsonite is more readily dissolved in acidic waters and soils than sphalerite but the mobility of Cd and zinc (Zn) derived from these ores in soils is unknown. Using microcosm incubation experiments and microscopic and spectroscopic analysis, we found that the mobility of Cd and Zn derived from smithsonite is higher than from sphalerite. The mobilization rates of Cd (16.6%) and Zn (13.7%) released from smithsonite in soils after 30-day incubation experiments were higher than those from sphalerite (Cd, ~ 1.42%; Zn, ~ 0.75%). Moreover, the percentages of Cd2+ and Zn2+ in soil pore water showed a dynamic increase in smithsonite-spiked treatments but a decrease in sphalerite-spiked treatments. HRTEM-EDX-SAED analysis further indicates the occurrence of dynamic transformation of amorphous Cd and Zn species in soil pore water to crystalline ZnS and iron oxides in sphalerite-spiked soil but crystalline ZnCO3 nanoparticles were dynamically transformed to amorphous metal-bearing species in smithsonite-spiked soil. The opposite transformation trends in pore water of Zn ore-spiked soils provide new insights into the Cd environmental risks in soils affected by Zn mining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyang Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Longhua Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | - Jiawen Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | - Yongming Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Tong Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhu Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Pengjie Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Peter Christie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
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Jośko I, Krasucka P, Skwarek E, Oleszczuk P, Sheteiwy M. The co-occurrence of Zn-and Cu-based engineered nanoparticles in soils: The metal extractability vs. toxicity to Folsomia candida. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 287:132252. [PMID: 34555583 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The presence of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in soil gradually increases, among others due to the nano-agrochemicals application. So far, the co-existence of different ENPs in soil is poorly examined. Here, the metal extractability and toxicity of soils spiked (300 mg kg-1) singly and jointly with Zn- and Cu-based ENPs or metal salts were tested. The samples were aged for 1 and 90 days. The predicting available metal component of ENPs concentrations were determined by different methods including soil pore water collection and batch extractions with H2O, CaCl2 or DTPA. Survival and reproduction of Folsomia candida were also evaluated. The combined effect of ENPs on the extractability of metals was mainly found with DTPA characterized by the highest leaching capacity among the used extractants. In fresh soil, the mixtures of ENPs differentiated only DTPA-extractable Cu level, while aging resulted in changes in both Zn and Cu concentrations leached by CaCl2 or DTPA. However, the character of the combined effect was an ENPs- and soil type-dependent, whereas the mixtures of metal salts mostly provided higher Zn and Cu recovery than the individual compounds. The pattern of co-toxicity of metal-oxide ENPs was also time-dependent: the antagonistic and synergistic effect was observed in the samples after 1 and 90 days, respectively. However, the toxicity was weakly related with extractable concentrations in both single and joint treatment of metal compounds. The distinct joint effect patterns of ENPs imply the need for more in-depth investigation of mechanisms of activity of ENPs mixtures in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Jośko
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agrobioengineering, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Patrycja Krasucka
- Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewa Skwarek
- Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Patryk Oleszczuk
- Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin, Poland
| | - Mohamed Sheteiwy
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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Sheteiwy MS, Shaghaleh H, Hamoud YA, Holford P, Shao H, Qi W, Hashmi MZ, Wu T. Zinc oxide nanoparticles: potential effects on soil properties, crop production, food processing, and food quality. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:36942-36966. [PMID: 34043175 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14542-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) is expected to increase soil fertility, crop productivity, and food quality. However, the potential effects of ZnO NP utilization should be deeply understood. This review highlights the behavior of ZnO NPs in soil and their interactions with the soil components. The review discusses the potential effects of ZnO NPs on plants and their mechanisms of action on plants and how these mechanisms are related to their physicochemical properties. The impact of current applications of ZnO NPs in the food industry is also discussed. Based on the literature reviewed, soil properties play a vital role in dispersing, aggregation, stability, bioavailability, and transport of ZnO NPs and their release into the soil. The transfer of ZnO NPs into the soil can affect the soil components, and subsequently, the structure of plants. The toxic effects of ZnO NPs on plants and microbes are caused by various mechanisms, mainly through the generation of reactive oxygen species, lysosomal destabilization, DNA damage, and the reduction of oxidative stress through direct penetration/liberation of Zn2+ ions in plant/microbe cells. The integration of ZnO NPs in food processing improves the properties of the relative ZnO NP-based nano-sensing, active packing, and food/feed bioactive ingredients delivery systems, leading to better food quality and safety. The unregulated/unsafe discharge concentrations of ZnO NPs into the soil, edible plant tissues, and processed foods raise environmental/safety concerns and adverse effects. Therefore, the safety issues related to ZnO NP applications in the soil, plants, and food are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Salah Sheteiwy
- Salt-Soil Agricultural Center, Institute of Agriculture Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agriculture Science (JAAS), Nanjing, 210014, China
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Hiba Shaghaleh
- College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China.
| | - Yousef Alhaj Hamoud
- College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China.
| | - Paul Holford
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, NSW, 2751, Penrith, Australia
| | - Hongbo Shao
- Salt-Soil Agricultural Center, Institute of Agriculture Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agriculture Science (JAAS), Nanjing, 210014, China.
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology, Qingdao, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, China.
| | - Weicong Qi
- Salt-Soil Agricultural Center, Institute of Agriculture Resources and Environment, Jiangsu Academy of Agriculture Science (JAAS), Nanjing, 210014, China
| | | | - Tianow Wu
- College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
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