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Spielman-Sun E, Boye K, Dwivedi D, Engel M, Thompson A, Kumar N, Noël V. A Critical Look at Colloid Generation, Stability, and Transport in Redox-Dynamic Environments: Challenges and Perspectives. ACS EARTH & SPACE CHEMISTRY 2024; 8:630-653. [PMID: 38654896 PMCID: PMC11033945 DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.3c00255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Colloid generation, stability, and transport are important processes that can significantly influence the fate and transport of nutrients and contaminants in environmental systems. Here, we critically review the existing literature on colloids in redox-dynamic environments and summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the mechanisms of colloid generation and the chemical controls over colloidal behavior in such environments. We also identify critical gaps, such as the lack of universally accepted cross-discipline definition and modeling infrastructure that hamper an in-depth understanding of colloid generation, behavior, and transport potential. We propose to go beyond a size-based operational definition of colloids and consider the functional differences between colloids and dissolved species. We argue that to predict colloidal transport in redox-dynamic environments, more empirical data are needed to parametrize and validate models. We propose that colloids are critical components of element budgets in redox-dynamic systems and must urgently be considered in field as well as lab experiments and reactive transport models. We intend to bring further clarity and openness in reporting colloidal measurements and fate to improve consistency. Additionally, we suggest a methodological toolbox for examining impacts of redox dynamics on colloids in field and lab experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Spielman-Sun
- Environmental
Geochemistry Group at SLAC, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource
(SSRL), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, United States
| | - Kristin Boye
- Environmental
Geochemistry Group at SLAC, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource
(SSRL), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, United States
| | - Dipankar Dwivedi
- Earth
and Environmental Sciences Area, Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Maya Engel
- Department
of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Aaron Thompson
- Department
of Crop and Soil Sciences, University of
Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Naresh Kumar
- Soil
Chemistry, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent Noël
- Environmental
Geochemistry Group at SLAC, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource
(SSRL), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, United States
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Koenigsmark F, Chiu M, Rivera N, Johs A, Eskelsen J, Leonard D, Robertson BK, Szynkiewicz A, Derolph C, Zhao L, Gu B, Hsu-Kim H, Pierce EM. Crystal lattice defects in nanocrystalline metacinnabar in contaminated streambank soils suggest a role for biogenic sulfides in the formation of mercury sulfide phases. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023; 25:445-460. [PMID: 36692344 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00549a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
At mercury (Hg)-contaminated sites, streambank erosion can act as a main mobilizer of Hg into nearby waterbodies. Once deposited into the waters, mercury from these soils can be transformed to MeHg by microorganisms. It is therefore important to understand the solid-phase speciation of Hg in streambanks as differences in Hg speciation will have implications for Hg transport and bioavailability. In this study, we characterized Hg solid phases in Hg-contaminated soils (100-1100 mg per kg Hg) collected from the incised bank of the East Fork Poplar Creek (EFPC) in Oak Ridge, TN (USA). The analysis of the soil samples by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy indicated numerous microenvironments where Hg and sulfur (S) are co-located. According to bulk soil analyses by extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS), the near-neighbor Hg molecular coordination in the soils closely resembled freshly precipitated Hg sulfide (metacinnabar, HgS); however, EXAFS fits indicated the Hg in the HgS structure was undercoordinated with respect to crystalline metacinnabar. This undercoordination of Hg-S observed by spectroscopy is consistent with transmission electron microspy images showing the presence of nanocrystallites with structural defects (twinning, stacking faults, dislocations) in individual HgS-bearing particles. Although the soils were collected from exposed parts of the stream bank (i.e., open to the atmosphere), the presence of reduced forms of S and sulfate-reducing microbes suggests that biogenic sulfides promote the formation of HgS nanoparticles in these soils. Altogether, these data demonstrate the predominance of nanoparticulate HgS with crystal lattice defects in the bank soils of an industrially impacted stream. Efforts to predict the mobilization and bioavailability of Hg associated with nano-HgS forms should consider the impact of nanocrystalline lattice defects on particle surface reactivity, including Hg dissolution rates and bioavailability on Hg fate and transformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faye Koenigsmark
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Michelle Chiu
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA.
| | - Nelson Rivera
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Alexander Johs
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA.
| | - Jeremy Eskelsen
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA.
| | - Donovan Leonard
- Manufacturing Demonstration Facility Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Boakai K Robertson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL 36104, USA
| | - Anna Szynkiewicz
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Christopher Derolph
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA.
| | - Linduo Zhao
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA.
| | - Baohua Gu
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA.
| | - Heileen Hsu-Kim
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Eric M Pierce
- Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA.
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3
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Le Bars M, Levard C, Legros S, Vidal V, Fernandez-Martinez A, Michel FM, Thill A, Prelot B, Dublet-Adli G, Borschneck D, Rose J, Doelsch E. Size and Strain of Zinc Sulfide Nanoparticles Altered by Interaction with Organic Molecules. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:16831-16837. [PMID: 36394535 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Nanosized zinc sulfides (nano-ZnS) have size-dependent and tunable physical and chemical properties that make them useful for a variety of technological applications. For example, structural changes, especially caused by strain, are pronounced in nano-ZnS < 5 nm in size, the size range typical of incidental nano-ZnS that form in the environment. Previous research has shown how natural organic matter impacts the physical properties of nano-ZnS but was mostly focused on their aggregation state. However, the specific organic molecules and the type of functional groups that are most important for controlling the nano-ZnS size and strain remain unclear. This study examined the size-dependent strain of nano-ZnS synthesized in the presence of serine, cysteine, glutathione, histidine, and acetate. Synchrotron total scattering pair distribution function analysis was used to determine the average crystallite size and strain. Among the different organic molecules tested, those containing a thiol group were shown to affect the particle size and size-induced strain most strongly when added during synthesis but significantly reduced the particle strain when added to as-formed nano-ZnS. The same effects are useful to understand the properties and behavior of natural nano-ZnS formed as products of microbial activity, for example, in reducing environments, or of incidental nano-ZnS formed in organic wastes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Le Bars
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Coll France, CEREGE, Aix-en-Provence13545, France
- UPR Recyclage et Risque, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
- Recyclage et Risque, Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, MontpellierF-34398, France
| | - Clément Levard
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Coll France, CEREGE, Aix-en-Provence13545, France
| | - Samuel Legros
- UPR Recyclage et Risque, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
- Recyclage et Risque, Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, MontpellierF-34398, France
| | - Vladimir Vidal
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Coll France, CEREGE, Aix-en-Provence13545, France
| | | | - F Marc Michel
- Department of Geosciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia24061, United States
| | - Antoine Thill
- NIMBE, UMR 3685 CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex91191, France
| | | | | | - Daniel Borschneck
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Coll France, CEREGE, Aix-en-Provence13545, France
| | - Jérôme Rose
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Coll France, CEREGE, Aix-en-Provence13545, France
| | - Emmanuel Doelsch
- UPR Recyclage et Risque, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
- Recyclage et Risque, Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, MontpellierF-34398, France
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Jun YS, Zhu Y, Wang Y, Ghim D, Wu X, Kim D, Jung H. Classical and Nonclassical Nucleation and Growth Mechanisms for Nanoparticle Formation. Annu Rev Phys Chem 2022; 73:453-477. [PMID: 35113740 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physchem-082720-100947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
All solid materials are created via nucleation. In this evolutionary process, nuclei form in solution or at interfaces and expand by monomeric growth, oriented attachment, and phase transformation. Nucleation determines the location and size of nuclei, whereas growth controls the size, shape, and aggregation of newly formed nanoparticles. These physical properties of nanoparticles can determine their functionalities, reactivities, and porosities, as well as their fate and transport. Recent advances in nanoscale analytical technologies allow in situ real-time observations, enabling us to uncover the molecular nature of nuclei and the critical controlling factors for nucleation and growth. Although a single theory cannot yet fully explain such evolving processes, we have started to better understand how both classical and nonclassical theories can work together, and we have begun to recognize the importance of connecting these theories. This review discusses the recent convergence of knowledge about the nucleation and the growth of nanoparticles. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Physical Chemistry, Volume 73 is April 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Shin Jun
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri; , , , ,
| | - Yaguang Zhu
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri; , , , ,
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri; , , , ,
| | - Deoukchen Ghim
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri; , , , ,
| | - Xuanhao Wu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut;
| | - Doyoon Kim
- Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri; , , , ,
| | - Haesung Jung
- School of Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon, South Korea;
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Durán-Toro V, Rezwan K, Bühring SI, Maas M. Arsenic and sulfur nanoparticle synthesis mimicking environmental conditions of submarine shallow-water hydrothermal vents. J Environ Sci (China) 2022; 111:301-312. [PMID: 34949360 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.04.011] [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: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic and sulfur mineralization is a natural phenomenon occurring in hydrothermal systems where parameters like temperature and organic matter (OM) can influence the mobilization of the toxic metalloid in marine environments. In the present study we analyze the influence of temperature and OM (particularly sulfur-containing additives) on As and S precipitation based on the recent discovery of As-rich nanoparticles in the hydrothermal system near the coast of the Greek island Milos. To this end, we experimentally recreate the formation of amorphous colloidal particles rich in As and S via acidification (pH 3-4) of aqueous precursors at various temperatures. At higher temperatures, we observe the formation of monodisperse particles within the first 24 h of the experiment, generating colloidal particles with diameters close to 160 nm. The S:As ratio and particle size of the synthetized particles closely correlates with values for AsxSy particles detected in the hydrothermal system off Milos. Furthermore, organic sulfur containing additives (cysteine and glutathione, GSH) are a key factor in the process of nucleation and growth of amorphous colloidal AsxSy particles and, together with the temperature gradient present in shallow hydrothermal vents, dictate the stabilization of As-bearing nanomaterials in the environment. Based on these findings, we present a simple model that summarizes our new insights into the formation and mobility of colloidal As in aquatic ecosystems. In this context, amorphous AsxSy particles can present harmful effects to micro- and macro-biota not foreseen in bulk As material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Durán-Toro
- MARUM ‒ Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen 28359, Germany.
| | - Kurosch Rezwan
- Advanced Ceramics, University of Bremen, Bremen 28359, Germany; MAPEX - Center for Materials and Processes, University of Bremen, Bremen 28359, Germany
| | - Solveig I Bühring
- MARUM ‒ Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen 28359, Germany
| | - Michael Maas
- Advanced Ceramics, University of Bremen, Bremen 28359, Germany; MAPEX - Center for Materials and Processes, University of Bremen, Bremen 28359, Germany.
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Le Bars M, Legros S, Levard C, Chevassus-Rosset C, Montes M, Tella M, Borschneck D, Guihou A, Angeletti B, Doelsch E. Contrasted fate of zinc sulfide nanoparticles in soil revealed by a combination of X-ray absorption spectroscopy, diffusive gradient in thin films and isotope tracing. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 292:118414. [PMID: 34728325 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118414] [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: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Incidental zinc sulfide nanoparticles (nano-ZnS) are spread on soils through organic waste (OW) recycling. Here we performed soil incubations with synthetic nano-ZnS (3 nm crystallite size), representative of the form found in OW. We used an original set of techniques to reveal the fate of nano-ZnS in two soils with different properties. 68Zn tracing and nano-DGT were combined during soil incubation to discriminate the available natural Zn from the soil, and the available Zn from the dissolved nano-68ZnS. This combination was crucial to highlight the dissolution of nano-68ZnS as of the third day of incubation. Based on the extended X-ray absorption fine structure, we revealed faster dissolution of nano-ZnS in clayey soil (82% within 1 month) than in sandy soil (2% within 1 month). However, the nano-DGT results showed limited availability of Zn released by nano-ZnS dissolution after 1 month in the clayey soil compared with the sandy soil. These results highlighted: (i) the key role of soil properties for nano-ZnS fate, and (ii) fast dissolution of nano-ZnS in clayey soil. Finally, the higher availability of Zn in the sandy soil despite the lower nano-ZnS dissolution rate is counterintuitive. This study demonstrated that, in addition to nanoparticle dissolution, it is also essential to take the availability of released ions into account when studying the fate of nanoparticles in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Le Bars
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Coll France, CEREGE, Aix-en-Provence, France; UPR Recyclage et Risque, CIRAD, F-34398, Montpellier, France; Recyclage et Risque, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, Montpellier, France.
| | - Samuel Legros
- Recyclage et Risque, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, Montpellier, France; UPR Recyclage et Risque, CIRAD, 18524, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Clément Levard
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Coll France, CEREGE, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | - Claire Chevassus-Rosset
- UPR Recyclage et Risque, CIRAD, F-34398, Montpellier, France; Recyclage et Risque, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Mélanie Montes
- UPR Recyclage et Risque, CIRAD, F-34398, Montpellier, France; Recyclage et Risque, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Marie Tella
- CIRAD, US Analyses, F-34398, Montpellier, France; Analyses, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
| | - Daniel Borschneck
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Coll France, CEREGE, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | - Abel Guihou
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Coll France, CEREGE, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | - Bernard Angeletti
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, IRD, INRAE, Coll France, CEREGE, Aix-en-Provence, France
| | - Emmanuel Doelsch
- UPR Recyclage et Risque, CIRAD, F-34398, Montpellier, France; Recyclage et Risque, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, Montpellier, France
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7
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Interaction Effect of EDTA, Salinity, and Oxide Nanoparticles on Alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlamydomonas euryale. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10102118. [PMID: 34685927 PMCID: PMC8541132 DOI: 10.3390/plants10102118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The interaction effects of organic ligand ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and oxide nanoparticles (magnetite Fe3O4-NPs and copper CuO-NPs) were investigated during a 72 h period on two green algal species-Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under freshwater conditions and Chlamydomonas euryale under saltwater conditions. Fe3O4-NPs had larger agglomerates and very low solubility. CuO-NPs, having smaller agglomerates and higher solubility, were more toxic than Fe3O4-NPs in freshwater conditions for similar mass-based concentrations, especially at 72 h under 100 mg L-1. Furthermore, the effect of EDTA increased nanoparticle solubility, and the salinity caused a decrease in their solubility. Our results on C. euryale showed that the increase in salinity to 32 g L-1 caused the formation of larger nanoparticle agglomerates, leading to a decrease in the toxicity impact on algal cells. In addition, EDTA treatments induced a toxicity effect on both freshwater and saltwater Chlamydomonas species, by altering the nutrient uptake of algal cells. However, C. euryale was more resistant to EDTA toxicity than C. reinhardtii. Moreover, nanoparticle treatments caused a reduction in EDTA toxicity, especially for CuO-NPs. Therefore, the toxicity impact caused by these environmental factors should be considered in risk assessment for metallic nanoparticles.
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Balakrishnan A, Groeneveld JD, Pokhrel S, Mädler L. Metal Sulfide Nanoparticles: Precursor Chemistry. Chemistry 2021; 27:6390-6406. [PMID: 33326141 PMCID: PMC8247956 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202004952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fascination with and the need for evermore increasing efficiency, power, or strength have been the cornerstones for developing new materials and methods for their creation. Higher solar cell conversion efficiencies, increased battery storage power, and lightweight strong materials are some that have been at the forefront of attention for these efforts. Materials created for most applications start as simple chemical compounds. A study of how these chemicals have been used in the past can be used to create new materials and new methods of production. Herein, a class of materials that are valuable in a multitude of applications, metal sulfide nanoparticles, are examined, along with how they are being produced and how new methods can be established that will help to standardize and increase production capabilities. Precursor–solvent combinations that can be used to create metal sulfide nanoparticles in the gas phase are also explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adithya Balakrishnan
- Faculty of Production Engineering, University of Bremen, Badgasteiner Str. 1.,Leibniz Institute for Materials Engineering IWT, Badgasteiner Str. 3, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Jan Derk Groeneveld
- Faculty of Production Engineering, University of Bremen, Badgasteiner Str. 1.,Leibniz Institute for Materials Engineering IWT, Badgasteiner Str. 3, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Suman Pokhrel
- Faculty of Production Engineering, University of Bremen, Badgasteiner Str. 1.,Leibniz Institute for Materials Engineering IWT, Badgasteiner Str. 3, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Lutz Mädler
- Faculty of Production Engineering, University of Bremen, Badgasteiner Str. 1.,Leibniz Institute for Materials Engineering IWT, Badgasteiner Str. 3, 28359, Bremen, Germany
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Synergy of Aspergillus niger and Components in Biofertilizer Composites Increases the Availability of Nutrients to Plants. Curr Microbiol 2021; 78:1529-1542. [PMID: 33675402 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-021-02406-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Intensive fertilization has been required to provide nutrients for plant growth under the current agricultural practices being applied to meet the global food demands. Micronutrients such as zinc, manganese, and copper are required in small quantities when compared to macronutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium), but they are essential for the plant growth cycle and consequently for increasing productivity. Mineral oxides such as ZnO, MnO, and CuO are used in agriculture as micronutrient sources, but their low solubility limits practical applications in plant nutrition. Similarly, elemental sulfur (S0) can provide a high-concentration source of sulfate, but its availability is limited by the ability of the soil to promote S0 oxidation. We propose here the integration of these nutrients in a composite based on a biodegradable starch matrix containing mineral oxides and S0 in a dispersion that allowed encapsulation of the acidifying agent Aspergillus niger, a native soil fungus. This strategy effectively improved the final nutrient solubility, with the composite starch/S0/oxidemixture multi-nutrient fertilizer showing remarkable results for solubilization of the oxides, hence confirming a synergic effect of S0 oxidation and microbial solubilization. This composite exhibited an extended shelf life and soil-plant experiments with Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) confirmed high efficiencies for dry matter production, nutrient uptake, and recovery. These findings can contribute to the development of environmentally friendly fertilizers towards a more sustainable agriculture and could open up new applications for formulations containing poorly soluble oxide sources.
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10
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Nanocrystal facet modulation to enhance transferrin binding and cellular delivery. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1262. [PMID: 32152269 PMCID: PMC7062909 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14972-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Binding of biomolecules to crystal surfaces is critical for effective biological applications of crystalline nanomaterials. Here, we present the modulation of exposed crystal facets as a feasible approach to enhance specific nanocrystal–biomolecule associations for improving cellular targeting and nanomaterial uptake. We demonstrate that facet-engineering significantly enhances transferrin binding to cadmium chalcogenide nanocrystals and their subsequent delivery into cancer cells, mediated by transferrin receptors, in a complex biological matrix. Competitive adsorption experiments coupled with theoretical calculations reveal that the (100) facet of cadmoselite and (002) facet of greenockite preferentially bind with transferrin via inner-sphere thiol complexation. Molecular dynamics simulation infers that facet-dependent transferrin binding is also induced by the differential affinity of crystal facets to water molecules in the first solvation shell, which affects access to exposed facets. Overall, this research underlines the promise of facet engineering to improve the efficacy of crystalline nanomaterials in biological applications. Modulation of exposed crystal facets enhances transferrin binding to chalcogenide nanocrystals and their subsequent delivery into cancer cells. Facet-dependent protein binding occurs through inner-sphere thiol complexation and is affected by the structure of the first solvation shell.
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11
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Regnell O, Watras CJ. Microbial Mercury Methylation in Aquatic Environments: A Critical Review of Published Field and Laboratory Studies. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:4-19. [PMID: 30525497 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b02709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is an environmental contaminant of concern because it biomagnifies in aquatic food webs and poses a health hazard to aquatic biota, piscivorous wildlife and humans. The dominant source of MeHg to freshwater systems is the methylation of inorganic Hg (IHg) by anaerobic microorganisms; and it is widely agreed that in situ rates of Hg methylation depend on two general factors: the activity of Hg methylators and their uptake of IHg. A large body of research has focused on the biogeochemical processes that regulate these two factors in nature; and studies conducted within the past ten years have made substantial progress in identifying the genetic basis for intracellular methylation and defining the processes that govern the cellular uptake of IHg. Current evidence indicates that all Hg methylating anaerobes possess the gene pair hgcAB that encodes proteins essential for Hg methylation. These genes are found in a large variety of anaerobes, including iron reducers and methanogens; but sulfate reduction is the metabolic process most often reported to show strong links to MeHg production. The uptake of Hg substrate prior to methylation may occur by passive or active transport, or by a combination of both. Competitive inhibition of Hg uptake by Zn speaks in favor of active transport and suggests that essential metal transporters are involved. Shortly after its formation, MeHg is typically released from cells, but the efflux mechanisms are unknown. Although methylation facilitates Hg depuration from the cell, evidence suggests that the hgcAB genes are not induced or favored by Hg contamination. Instead, high MeHg production can be linked to high Hg bioavailability as a result of the formation of Hg(SH)2, HgS nanoparticles, and Hg-thiol complexes. It is also possible that sulfidic conditions require strong essential metal uptake systems that inadvertently bring Hg into the cytoplasm of Hg methylating microbes. In comparison with freshwaters, Hg methylation in open ocean waters appears less restricted to anoxic environments. It does seem to occur mainly in oxygen deficient zones (ODZs), and possibly within anaerobic microzones of settling organic matter, but MeHg (CH3Hg+) and Me2Hg ((CH3)2Hg) have been shown to form also in surface water samples from the euphotic zone. Future studies may disclose whether several different pathways lead to Hg methylation in marine waters and explain why Me2Hg is a significant Hg species in oceans but seemingly not in most freshwaters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olof Regnell
- Department of Biology/Aquatic Ecology , Lund University , SE-223 62 Lund , Sweden
| | - Carl J Watras
- Bureau of Water Quality , Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources , Madison , Wisconsin 53703 , United States
- Center for Limnology , University of Wisconsin-Madison , 3110 Trout Lake Station Drive , Boulder Junction , Wisconsin 54512 , United States
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12
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Mazrui NM, Seelen E, King'ondu CK, Thota S, Awino J, Rouge J, Zhao J, Mason RP. The precipitation, growth and stability of mercury sulfide nanoparticles formed in the presence of marine dissolved organic matter. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2018; 20:642-656. [PMID: 29492487 DOI: 10.1039/c7em00593h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The methylation of mercury is known to depend on the chemical forms of mercury (Hg) present in the environment and the methylating bacterial activity. In sulfidic sediments, under conditions of supersaturation with respect to metacinnabar, recent research has shown that mercury precipitates as β-HgS(s) nanoparticles (β-HgS(s)nano). Few studies have examined the precipitation of β-HgS(s)nano in the presence of marine dissolved organic matter (DOM). In this work, we used dynamic light scattering (DLS) coupled with UV-Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to investigate the formation and fate of β-HgS(s)nano formed in association with marine DOM extracted from the east and west of Long Island Sound, and at the shelf break of the North Atlantic Ocean, as well as with low molecular weight thiols. We found that while the β-HgS(s)nano formed in the presence of oceanic DOM doubled in size after 5 weeks, those forming in solutions with coastal DOM did not grow over time. In addition, when the HgII : DOM ratio was varied, β-HgS(s)nano only rapidly aggregated at high ratios (>41 μmol HgII per mg C) where the concentration of thiol groups was determined to be substantially low relative to HgII. This suggests that functional groups other than thiols could be involved in the stabilization of β-HgS(s)nano. Furthermore, we showed that β-HgS(s)nano forming under anoxic conditions remained stable and could therefore persist in the environment sufficiently to impact the methylation potential. Exposure of β-HgS(s)nano to sunlit and oxic environments, however, caused rapid aggregation and sedimentation of the nanoparticles, suggesting that photo-induced changes or oxidation of organic matter adsorbed on the surface of β-HgS(s)nano affected their stability in surface waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nashaat M Mazrui
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
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Legros S, Levard C, Marcato-Romain CE, Guiresse M, Doelsch E. Anaerobic Digestion Alters Copper and Zinc Speciation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:10326-10334. [PMID: 28825795 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion is a widely used organic waste treatment process. However, little is known on how it could alter the speciation of contaminants in organic waste. This study was focused on determining the influence of anaerobic digestion on the speciation of copper and zinc, two metals that generally occur at high concentration in organic waste. Copper and zinc speciation was investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy in four different raw organic wastes (predigestion) and their digested counterparts (postdigestion, i.e., digestates). The results highlighted an increase in the digestates of the proportion of amorphous or nanostructured copper sulfides as well as amorphous or nanostructured zinc sulfides and zinc phosphate as compared to raw waste. We therefore suggest that the environmental fate of these elements would be different when spreading either digestates or raw waste on cropland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Legros
- CIRAD , UPR Recyclage et risque, 18524 Dakar, Senegal
- CIRAD , UPR Recyclage et risque, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - Clément Levard
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IRD, College De France , CEREGE, Aix en Provence, France
| | | | - Maritxu Guiresse
- EcoLab, INPT, UPS, Université de Toulouse , UMR CNRS 5245, F-31326 Castanet Tolosan, France
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14
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Graham AM, Cameron-Burr KT, Hajic HA, Lee C, Msekela D, Gilmour CC. Sulfurization of Dissolved Organic Matter Increases Hg-Sulfide-Dissolved Organic Matter Bioavailability to a Hg-Methylating Bacterium. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:9080-9088. [PMID: 28703002 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b02781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Reactions of dissolved organic matter (DOM) with aqueous sulfide (termed sulfurization) in anoxic environments can substantially increase DOM's reduced sulfur functional group content. Sulfurization may affect DOM-trace metal interactions, including complexation and metal-containing particle precipitation, aggregation, and dissolution. Using a diverse suite of DOM samples, we found that susceptibility to additional sulfur incorporation via reaction with aqueous sulfide increased with increasing DOM aromatic-, carbonyl-, and carboxyl-C content. The role of DOM sulfurization in enhancing Hg bioavailability for microbial methylation was evaluated under conditions typical of Hg methylation environments (μM sulfide concentrations and low Hg-to-DOM molar ratios). Under the conditions of predicted metacinnabar supersaturation, microbial Hg methylation increased with increasing DOM sulfurization, likely reflecting either effective inhibition of metacinnabar growth and aggregation or the formation of Hg(II)-DOM thiol complexes with high bioavailability. Remarkably, Hg methylation efficiencies with the most sulfurized DOM samples were similar (>85% of total Hg methylated) to that observed in the presence of l-cysteine, a ligand facilitating rapid Hg(II) biouptake and methylation. This suggests that complexes of Hg(II) with DOM thiols have similar bioavailability to Hg(II) complexes with low-molecular-weight thiols. Overall, our results are a demonstration of the importance of DOM sulfurization to trace metal and metalloid (especially mercury) fate in the environment. DOM sulfurization likely represents another link between anthropogenic sulfate enrichment and MeHg production in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Graham
- Department of Chemistry, Grinnell College , 1116 Eighth Avenue, Grinnell, Iowa 50112, United States
| | - Keaton T Cameron-Burr
- Department of Chemistry, Grinnell College , 1116 Eighth Avenue, Grinnell, Iowa 50112, United States
| | - Hayley A Hajic
- Department of Chemistry, Grinnell College , 1116 Eighth Avenue, Grinnell, Iowa 50112, United States
| | - Connie Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Grinnell College , 1116 Eighth Avenue, Grinnell, Iowa 50112, United States
| | - Deborah Msekela
- Department of Chemistry, Grinnell College , 1116 Eighth Avenue, Grinnell, Iowa 50112, United States
| | - Cynthia C Gilmour
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center , 647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, Maryland 21037, United States
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15
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Li H, Zhu L, Wang J, Li L, Lee PH, Feng Y, Shih K. Effect of Nitrogen Oxides on Elemental Mercury Removal by Nanosized Mineral Sulfide. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:8530-8536. [PMID: 28662579 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b00224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Because of its large surface area, nanosized zinc sulfide (Nano-ZnS) has been demonstrated in a previous study to be efficient for removal of elemental mercury (Hg0) from coal combustion flue gas. The excellent mercury adsorption performance of Nano-ZnS was found to be insusceptible to water vapor, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen chloride. However, nitrogen oxides (NOX) apparently inhibited mercury removal by Nano-ZnS; this finding was unlike those of many studies on the promotional effect of NOX on Hg0 removal by other sorbents. The negative effect of NOX on Hg0 adsorption over Nano-ZnS was systematically investigated in this study. Two mechanisms were identified as primarily responsible for the inhibitive effect of NOX on Hg0 adsorption over Nano-ZnS: (1) active sulfur sites on Nano-ZnS were oxidized to inactive sulfate by NOX; and (2) the chemisorbed mercury, i.e., HgS, was reduced to Hg0 by NOX. This new insight into the role of NOX in Hg0 adsorption over Nano-ZnS can help to optimize operating conditions, maximize Hg0 adsorption, and facilitate the application of Nano-ZnS as a superior alternative to activated carbon for Hg0 removal using existing particulate matter control devices in power plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailong Li
- School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University , Changsha, China , 410083
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University , Changsha, China , 410083
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center , Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73126, United States
| | - Liqing Li
- School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University , Changsha, China , 410083
| | - Po-Heng Lee
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yong Feng
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kaimin Shih
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
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16
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Wallace GC, Sander M, Chin YP, Arnold WA. Quantifying the electron donating capacities of sulfide and dissolved organic matter in sediment pore waters of wetlands. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2017; 19:758-767. [PMID: 28466914 DOI: 10.1039/c7em00060j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Electron donating capacity (EDC) values were determined for a set of pore water samples collected from the sediments of four separate wetlands in the Cottonwood Lakes Study Area in Jamestown, ND by mediated electrochemical analysis, reaction with substituted nitro(so)benzenes, and calculation based on measured organic carbon and sulfide concentrations. The samples were taken from four hydrologically connected and increasingly sulfidic wetlands within the study site. Parallel trends in EDC values related to hydrologic conditions and to in situ reduced sulfur content were observed by all three methodologies. In particular, it was found that sulfide and dissolved organic matter (DOM) are the primary and secondary reductants, respectively, in these systems. The efficacy of these reductants in transforming organic contaminants, however, is largely driven by native pore water reduced sulfur content. Manipulation of the systems demonstrate that while DOM is capable of reducing highly oxidized contaminants or reactive intermediates, this likely only occurs once the reducing capacity of the sulfide is exhausted. Sulfide therefore was the dominant electron donor in the pore water samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant C Wallace
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, University of Minnesota, 500 Pillsbury Drive Southeast, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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17
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Li H, Zhu L, Wang J, Li L, Shih K. Development of Nano-Sulfide Sorbent for Efficient Removal of Elemental Mercury from Coal Combustion Fuel Gas. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:9551-9557. [PMID: 27508312 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b02115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The surface area of zinc sulfide (ZnS) was successfully enlarged using nanostructure particles synthesized by a liquid-phase precipitation method. The ZnS with the highest surface area (named Nano-ZnS) of 196.1 m(2)·g(-1) was then used to remove gas-phase elemental mercury (Hg(0)) from simulated coal combustion fuel gas at relatively high temperatures (140 to 260 °C). The Nano-ZnS exhibited far greater Hg(0) adsorption capacity than the conventional bulk ZnS sorbent due to the abundance of surface sulfur sites, which have a high binding affinity for Hg(0). Hg(0) was first physically adsorbed on the sorbent surface and then reacted with the adjacent surface sulfur to form the most stable mercury compound, HgS, which was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and a temperature-programmed desorption test. At the optimal temperature of 180 °C, the equilibrium Hg(0) adsorption capacity of the Nano-ZnS (inlet Hg(0) concentration of 65.0 μg·m(-3)) was greater than 497.84 μg·g(-1). Compared with several commercial activated carbons used exclusively for gas-phase mercury removal, the Nano-ZnS was superior in both Hg(0) adsorption capacity and adsorption rate. With this excellent Hg(0) removal performance, noncarbon Nano-ZnS may prove to be an advantageous alternative to activated carbon for Hg(0) removal in power plants equipped with particulate matter control devices, while also offering a means of reusing fly ash as a valuable resource, for example as a concrete additive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailong Li
- School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University , Changsha, China 410083
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lei Zhu
- School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University , Changsha, China 410083
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center , Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73126, United States
| | - Liqing Li
- School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University , Changsha, China 410083
| | - Kaimin Shih
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
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18
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Sengupta S, Loutaty R, Petel K, Levin E, Lemcoff NG, Golan Y. The effect of short chain thiol ligand additives on chemical bath deposition of lead sulphide thin films: the unique behaviour of 1,2-ethanedithiol. CrystEngComm 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ce01950a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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19
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Philippe A, Schaumann GE. Interactions of dissolved organic matter with natural and engineered inorganic colloids: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:8946-62. [PMID: 25082801 DOI: 10.1021/es502342r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 376] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
This contribution critically reviews the state of knowledge on interactions of natural colloids and engineered nanoparticles with natural dissolved organic materials (DOM). These interactions determine the behavior and impact of colloids in natural system. Humic substances, polysaccharides, and proteins present in natural waters adsorb onto the surface of most colloids. We outline major adsorption mechanisms and structures of adsorption layers reported in the literature and discuss their generality on the basis of particle type, DOM type, and media composition. Advanced characterization methods of both DOM and colloids are needed to address insufficiently understood aspects as DOM fractionation upon adsorption, adsorption reversibility, and effect of capping agent. Precise knowledge on adsorption layer helps in predicting the colloidal stability of the sorbent. While humic substances tend to decrease aggregation and deposition through electrostatic and steric effects, bridging-flocculation can occur in the presence of multivalent cations. In the presence of DOM, aggregation may become reversible and aggregate structure dynamic. Nonetheless, the role of shear forces is still poorly understood. If traditional approaches based on the DLVO-theory can be useful in specific cases, quantitative aggregation models taking into account DOM dynamics, bridging, and disaggregation are needed for a comprehensive modeling of colloids stability in natural media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Philippe
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, Group of Environmental and Soil Chemistry, University Koblenz-Landau , Fortstraße 7, D-76829, Landau, Germany
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20
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Bochev B, Yordanov G. Room temperature synthesis of thioglycolate-coated zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles in aqueous medium and their physicochemical characterization. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2013.08.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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21
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Villa-Gomez DK, van Hullebusch ED, Maestro R, Farges F, Nikitenko S, Kramer H, Gonzalez-Gil G, Lens PNL. Morphology, mineralogy, and solid-liquid phase separation characteristics of Cu and Zn precipitates produced with biogenic sulfide. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 48:664-673. [PMID: 24164296 DOI: 10.1021/es402795x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The morphology, mineralogy, and solid-liquid phase separation of the Cu and Zn precipitates formed with sulfide produced in a sulfate-reducing bioreactor were studied at pH 3, 5, and 7. The precipitates formed at pH 7 display faster settling rates, better dewaterability, and higher concentrations of settleable solids as compared to the precipitates formed at pH 3 and 5. These differences were linked to the agglomeration of the sulfidic precipitates and coprecipitation of the phosphate added to the bioreactor influent. The Cu and Zn quenched the intensity of the dissolved organic matter peaks identified by fluorescence-excitation emission matrix spectroscopy, suggesting a binding mechanism that decreases supersaturation, especially at pH 5. X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy analyses confirmed the precipitation of Zn-S as sphalerite and Cu-S as covellite in all samples, but also revealed the presence of Zn sorbed on hydroxyapatite. These analyses further showed that CuS structures remained amorphous regardless of the pH, whereas the ZnS structure was more organized at pH 5 as compared to the ZnS formed at pH 3 and 7, in agreement with the cubic sphalerite-type structures observed through scanning electron microscopy at pH 5.
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Affiliation(s)
- D K Villa-Gomez
- Pollution Prevention and Resource Recovery Chair Group, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education , P.O. Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, The Netherlands
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22
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Lombi E, Donner E, Tavakkoli E, Turney TW, Naidu R, Miller BW, Scheckel KG. Fate of zinc oxide nanoparticles during anaerobic digestion of wastewater and post-treatment processing of sewage sludge. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:9089-9096. [PMID: 22816872 DOI: 10.1021/es301487s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The rapid development and commercialization of nanomaterials will inevitably result in the release of nanoparticles (NPs) to the environment. As NPs often exhibit physical and chemical properties significantly different from those of their molecular or macrosize analogs, concern has been growing regarding their fate and toxicity in environmental compartments. The wastewater-sewage sludge pathway has been identified as a key release pathway leading to environmental exposure to NPs. In this study, we investigated the chemical transformation of two ZnO-NPs and one hydrophobic ZnO-NP commercial formulation (used in personal care products), during anaerobic digestion of wastewater. Changes in Zn speciation as a result of postprocessing of the sewage sludge, mimicking composting/stockpiling, were also assessed. The results indicated that "native" Zn and Zn added either as a soluble salt or as NPs was rapidly converted to sulfides in all treatments. The hydrophobicity of the commercial formulation retarded the conversion of ZnO-NP. However, at the end of the anaerobic digestion process and after postprocessing of the sewage sludge (which caused a significant change in Zn speciation), the speciation of Zn was similar across all treatments. This indicates that, at least for the material tested, the risk assessment of ZnO-NP through this exposure pathway can rely on the significant knowledge already available in regard to other "conventional" forms of Zn present in sewage sludge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enzo Lombi
- Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation, University of South Australia, Building X, Mawson Lakes Campus, South Australia 5095, Australia.
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23
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Gondikas AP, Morris A, Reinsch BC, Marinakos SM, Lowry GV, Hsu-Kim H. Cysteine-induced modifications of zero-valent silver nanomaterials: implications for particle surface chemistry, aggregation, dissolution, and silver speciation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:7037-7045. [PMID: 22448900 DOI: 10.1021/es3001757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The persistence of silver nanoparticles in aquatic environments and their subsequent impact on organisms depends on key transformation processes, which include aggregation, dissolution, and surface modifications by metal-complexing ligands. Here, we studied how cysteine, an amino acid representative of thiol ligands that bind monovalent silver, can alter the surface chemistry, aggregation, and dissolution of zero-valent silver nanoparticles. We compared nanoparticles synthesized with two coatings, citrate and polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP), and prepared nanoparticle suspensions (approximately 8 μM total Ag) containing an excess of cysteine (400 μM). Within 48 h, up to 47% of the silver had dissolved, as indicated by filtration of the samples with a 0.025-μm filter. Initial dissolution rates were calculated from the increase of dissolved silver concentration when particles were exposed to cysteine and normalized to the available surface area of nanoparticles in solution. In general, the rates of dissolution were almost 3 times faster for citrate-coated nanoparticles relative to PVP-coated nanoparticles. Rates tended to be slower in solutions with higher ionic strength in which the nanoparticles were aggregating. X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis of the particles suggested that cysteine adsorbed to silver nanoparticles surfaces through the formation of Ag(+I)--sulfhydryl bonds. Overall, the results of this study highlight the importance of modifications by sulfhydryl-containing ligands that can drastically influence the long-term reactivity of silver nanoparticles in the aquatic environment and their bioavailability to exposed organisms. Our findings demonstrate the need to consider multiple interlinked transformation processes when assessing the bioavailability, environmental risks, and safety of nanoparticles, particularly in the presence of metal-binding ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas P Gondikas
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Box 90287, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
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24
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Deonarine A, Lau BLT, Aiken GR, Ryan JN, Hsu-Kim H. Effects of humic substances on precipitation and aggregation of zinc sulfide nanoparticles. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2011; 45:3217-3223. [PMID: 21291228 DOI: 10.1021/es1029798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticulate metal sulfides such as ZnS can influence the transport and bioavailability of pollutant metals in anaerobic environments. The aim of this work was to investigate how the composition of dissolved natural organic matter (NOM) influences the stability of zinc sulfide nanoparticles as they nucleate and aggregate in water with dissolved NOM. We compared NOM fractions that were isolated from several surface waters and represented a range of characteristics including molecular weight, type of carbon, and ligand density. Dynamic light scattering was employed to monitor the growth and aggregation of Zn-S-NOM nanoparticles in supersaturated solutions containing dissolved aquatic humic substances. The NOM was observed to reduce particle growth rates, depending on solution variables such as type and concentration of NOM, monovalent electrolyte concentration, and pH. The rates of growth increased with increasing ionic strength, indicating that observed growth rates primarily represented aggregation of charged Zn-S-NOM particles. Furthermore, the observed rates decreased with increasing molecular weight and aromatic content of the NOM fractions, while carboxylate and reduced sulfur content had little effect. Differences between NOM were likely due to properties that increased electrosteric hindrances for aggregation. Overall, results of this study suggest that the composition and source of NOM are key factors that contribute to the stabilization and persistence of zinc sulfide nanoparticles in the aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrika Deonarine
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University , Box 90287, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
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25
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Aiken GR, Hsu-Kim H, Ryan JN. Influence of dissolved organic matter on the environmental fate of metals, nanoparticles, and colloids. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2011; 45:3196-201. [PMID: 21405118 DOI: 10.1021/es103992s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 427] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- George R Aiken
- U.S. Geological Survey , 3215 Marine Street, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States.
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26
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Influence of amino acids cysteine and serine on aggregation kinetics of zinc and mercury sulfide colloids. J Colloid Interface Sci 2010; 347:167-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2010.03.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2009] [Revised: 03/19/2010] [Accepted: 03/24/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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27
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Mullaugh KM, Luther, III GW. Spectroscopic determination of the size of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles formed under environmentally relevant conditions. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 12:890-7. [DOI: 10.1039/b919917a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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28
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Hamad S, Woodley SM, Catlow CRA. Experimental and computational studies of ZnS nanostructures. MOLECULAR SIMULATION 2009. [DOI: 10.1080/08927020903015346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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29
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Deonarine A, Hsu-Kim H. Precipitation of mercuric sulfide nanoparticles in NOM-containing water: implications for the natural environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2009; 43:2368-73. [PMID: 19452888 DOI: 10.1021/es803130h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Speciation of mercury(II) in the aquatic environment and coordination to natural organic matter (NOM) and sulfides governs the bioavailability and mobility of mercury in water and sediment. While previous studies on aqueous Hg(II) speciation have focused on competitive binding of dissolved species, the purpose of this study was to explore the potential for HgS nanoparticles that coprecipitate with NOM in solution. Dynamic light scattering was used to monitor the size of HgS colloids growing over time. The results indicated that humic substances decreased observed growth rates of particles and stabilized aggregates smaller than 0.2 microm for at least 8 h. Thiol-containing organic acids such as cysteine and thioglycolate also decreased growth of HgS particles. Growth rates were also monitored as a function of monovalent electrolyte concentration, humic type, and humic concentration. HgS particles that formed in the presence of humics and thiolates were able to pass through conventional filters (<0.2 micro/m) and appeared to consist of aggregates of nanocrystals in TEM images. Furthermore, 96% of HgS aggregates were removed from aqueous suspension when exposed to octanol, indicating that the particles could be incorrectly identified as dissolved complexes (e.g., HgS(0)(aq)) in bioavailability models. Hg speciation calculations were conducted to consider lower Hg concentrations observed in sediment porewater. While the calculations depended on Hg binding constants that can vary by orders of magnitude, the results indicated that HgS(s) could be oversaturated in filtered porewater, particularly at low dissolved sulfide levels (micromolar or lower). These insights suggest that nanoparticulate HgS can exist in surface waters and porewater of contaminated sediments as a result of kinetically hindered aggregation/precipitation reactions. Further studies are neededto addressthe importance of nanoscale HgS particles for governing the reactivity and bioavailability of mercury in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrika Deonarine
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Duke University, 121 Hudson Hall, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
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30
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Boyle TJ, Pratt HD, Alam TM, Headley T, Rodriguez MA. Synthesis and Characterization of Thiolate-Oxo Ligated Zinc Alkyl Derivatives for Production of Zn-Based Nanoparticles. Eur J Inorg Chem 2009; 2009:855-865. [PMID: 24068879 PMCID: PMC3780448 DOI: 10.1002/ejic.200800886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
A series of mercapto-oxo containing reagents [3-mercaptopropionic acid (H2-3MPA), 4-mercaptophenol (H2-4MP), 2-mercaptopyridine-N-oxide (H-2MPO)] was reacted with diethyl zinc (ZnEt2) in hexanes/pyridine (py) to yield {(μ4-3MPA)[Zn(Et)(py)]4}∞ (1), [(py)2(Et)Zn(μ3-4MP)Zn(Et)(py)]2 (2), and (2MPO)Zn(Et)py (3). For polymeric 1, each of the functional sites of the 3MPA was bound to four tetrahedral (Td) coordinated Zn(Et)(py) subunits. The sulfur of the 3MPA bridges two of the 'Zn(Et)(py)' subunits, which are also bridged by the two carboxylate oxygens of another 3MPA to propagate the chain. In contrast, 2 forms a discrete tetranuclear species consisting of two Zn(Et)(py) moieties bridged by the oxygens of two 4MP ligands with the thiolate sites of each terminated by Zn(Et)(py)2 moieties. Compound 3 adopts a monomeric species using a chelating 2MPO, a terminal Et, and a bound py to fill the Td coordination of the Zn metal center. Compounds 1 - 3 were then used to generate nanoparticles via solution precipitation and solvothermal routes to determine the effect these precursors have on the morphology and composition of the final materials produced. Compounds 1 - 3 were found to form zincite, zinc metal, or mixed zincite/wurtzite phases from solution precipitation or solvothermal routes; however, no routes yielded the mixed anion (i.e., ZnO x S y ) materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J. Boyle
- Sandia National Laboratories, Advanced Materials Laboratory, 1001 University Boulevard, SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
| | - Harry D. Pratt
- Sandia National Laboratories, Advanced Materials Laboratory, 1001 University Boulevard, SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
| | - Todd M. Alam
- Sandia National Laboratories, Advanced Materials Laboratory, 1001 University Boulevard, SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
| | - Thomas Headley
- Sandia National Laboratories, Advanced Materials Laboratory, 1001 University Boulevard, SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
| | - Mark A. Rodriguez
- Sandia National Laboratories, Advanced Materials Laboratory, 1001 University Boulevard, SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106
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