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Wahab A, Muhammad M, Ullah S, Abdi G, Shah GM, Zaman W, Ayaz A. Agriculture and environmental management through nanotechnology: Eco-friendly nanomaterial synthesis for soil-plant systems, food safety, and sustainability. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171862. [PMID: 38527538 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171862] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Through the advancement of nanotechnology, agricultural and food systems are undergoing strategic enhancements, offering innovative solutions to complex problems. This scholarly essay thoroughly examines nanotechnological innovations and their implications within these critical industries. Traditional practices are undergoing radical transformation as nanomaterials emerge as novel agents in roles traditionally filled by fertilizers, pesticides, and biosensors. Micronutrient management and preservation techniques are further enhanced, indicating a shift towards more nutrient-dense and longevity-oriented food production. Nanoparticles (NPs), with their unique physicochemical properties, such as an extraordinary surface-to-volume ratio, find applications in healthcare, diagnostics, agriculture, and other fields. However, concerns about their potential overuse and bioaccumulation raise unanswered questions about their health effects. Molecule-to-molecule interactions and physicochemical dynamics create pathways through which nanoparticles cause toxicity. The combination of nanotechnology and environmental sustainability principles leads to the examination of green nanoparticle synthesis. The discourse extends to how nanomaterials penetrate biological systems, their applications, toxicological effects, and dissemination routes. Additionally, this examination delves into the ecological consequences of nanomaterial contamination in natural ecosystems. Employing robust risk assessment methodologies, including the risk allocation framework, is recommended to address potential dangers associated with nanotechnology integration. Establishing standardized, universally accepted guidelines for evaluating nanomaterial toxicity and protocols for nano-waste disposal is urged to ensure responsible stewardship of this transformative technology. In conclusion, the article summarizes global trends, persistent challenges, and emerging regulatory strategies shaping nanotechnology in agriculture and food science. Sustained, in-depth research is crucial to fully benefit from nanotechnology prospects for sustainable agriculture and food systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdul Wahab
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Murad Muhammad
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 830011, China
| | - Shahid Ullah
- Department of Botany, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Gholamreza Abdi
- Department of Biotechnology, Persian Gulf Research Institute, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr 75169, Iran
| | | | - Wajid Zaman
- Department of Life Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea.
| | - Asma Ayaz
- Faculty of Sports Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China.
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Gačnik J, Živković I, Kotnik J, Božič D, Tassone A, Naccarato A, Pirrone N, Sprovieri F, Steffen A, Horvat M. Comparison of active measurements, lichen biomonitoring, and passive sampling for atmospheric mercury monitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:35800-35810. [PMID: 38740686 PMCID: PMC11136809 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33582-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The number of atmospheric mercury (Hg) monitoring stations is growing globally. However, there are still many regions and locations where Hg monitoring is limited or non-existent. Expansion of the atmospheric Hg monitoring network could be facilitated by the use of cost-effective monitoring methods. As such, biomonitoring and passive monitoring offer a unique alternative to well-established monitoring by active measurements, since they do not require a power supply and require minimal workload to operate. The use of biomonitoring (lichens and mosses) and passive air samplers (PASs) (various designs with synthetic materials) has been reported in the literature, and comparisons with active measurement methods have also been made. However, these studies compared either biomonitoring or PASs (not both) to only one type of active measurement. In our work, we used transplanted (7 sampling sites) and in situ lichens (8 sampling sites) for biomonitoring, two PASs from different producers (3 sampling sites), and two different active measurement types (continuous and discontinuous active measurements, 1 and 8 sampling sites, respectively) to evaluate their effectiveness as monitoring methods. In the 9-month sampling campaign, 3 sampling locations with different characteristics (unpolluted, vicinity of a cement plant, and vicinity of a former Hg mine) were used. The results obtained with lichens and PASs clearly distinguished between sampling locations with different Hg concentrations; using both PASs and lichens together increased the confidence of our observations. The present work shows that biomonitoring and passive sampling can be effectively used to identify areas with elevated atmospheric Hg concentrations. The same can be said for discontinuous active measurements; however, the discrepancy between atmospheric Hg concentrations derived from PASs and discontinuous active measurements should be further investigated in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Gačnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Igor Živković
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jože Kotnik
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Dominik Božič
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Antonella Tassone
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, National Research Council, Rende, Italy
| | - Attilio Naccarato
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, National Research Council, Rende, Italy
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy
| | - Nicola Pirrone
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, National Research Council, Rende, Italy
| | - Francesca Sprovieri
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, National Research Council, Rende, Italy
| | - Alexandra Steffen
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Canada
| | - Milena Horvat
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Çiftbudak ÖF, Aslan E, Atabay H, Tolun L, Balkıs NÇ, Yeşilot S. Investigation of organic micropollutant pollution in İzmit Bay: a comparative study of passive sampling and instantaneous sampling techniques. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:415. [PMID: 38568381 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12583-5] [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: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we used a comprehensive array of sampling techniques to examine the pollution caused by organic micropollutants in İzmit Bay for the first time. Our methodology contains spot seawater sampling, semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) passive samplers for time-weighted average (TWA), and sediment sampling for long-term pollution detection in İzmit Bay, together. Additionally, the analysis results obtained with these three sampling methods were compared in this study. Over the course of two seasons in 2020 and 2021, we deployed SPMDs for 21 days in the first season and for 30 days in the second season. This innovative approach allowed us to gather sea water samples and analyze them for the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Σ15 PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (Σ7 PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (Σ11 OCPs). Using SPMD-based passive sampling, we measured micropollutant concentrations: PAHs ranged from 1963 to 10342 pg/L in 2020 and 1338 to 6373 pg/L in 2021; PCBs from 17.46 to 61.90 pg/L in 2020 and 8.37 to 78.10 pg/L in 2021; and OCPs from 269.2 to 8868 pg/L in 2020 and 141.7 to 1662 pg/L in 2021. Our findings revealed parallels between the concentrations of PAHs, PCBs, and OCPs in both SPMDs and sediment samples, providing insights into the distribution patterns of these pollutants in the marine ecosystem. However, it is worth noting that due to limited data acquisition, the suitability of spot sampling in comparison to instantaneous sampling remains inconclusive, highlighting the need for further investigation and data collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ömer Faruk Çiftbudak
- Department of Chemistry, Gebze Technical University, Gebze, 41400, Kocaeli, Turkey
- TÜBİTAK, Marmara Research Center, Climate Change and Sustainability Vice Presidencies, 41470, Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Ertuğrul Aslan
- TÜBİTAK, Marmara Research Center, Climate Change and Sustainability Vice Presidencies, 41470, Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Hakan Atabay
- TÜBİTAK, Marmara Research Center, Climate Change and Sustainability Vice Presidencies, 41470, Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Leyla Tolun
- TÜBİTAK, Marmara Research Center, Climate Change and Sustainability Vice Presidencies, 41470, Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Nuray Çağlar Balkıs
- Institute of Marine Science and Management, Department of Chemical Oceanography, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Serkan Yeşilot
- Department of Chemistry, Gebze Technical University, Gebze, 41400, Kocaeli, Turkey.
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Chitosan-Based Polymer Nanocomposites for Environmental Remediation of Mercury Pollution. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15030482. [PMID: 36771779 PMCID: PMC9921766 DOI: 10.3390/polym15030482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mercury is a well-known heavy metal pollutant of global importance, typically found in effluents (lakes, oceans, and sewage) and released into the atmosphere. It is highly toxic to humans, animals and plants. Therefore, the current challenge is to develop efficient materials and techniques that can be used to remediate mercury pollution in water and the atmosphere, even in low concentrations. The paper aims to review the chitosan-based polymer nanocomposite materials that have been used for the environmental remediation of mercury pollution since they possess multifunctional properties, beneficial for the adsorption of various kinds of pollutants from wastewater and the atmosphere. In addition, these chitosan-based polymer nanocomposites are made of non-toxic materials that are environmentally friendly, highly porous, biocompatible, biodegradable, and recyclable; they have a high number of surface active sites, are earth-abundant, have minimal surface defects, and are metal-free. Advances in the modification of the chitosan, mainly with nanomaterials such as multi-walled carbon nanotube and nanoparticles (Ag, TiO2, S, and ZnO), and its use for mercury uptake by batch adsorption and passive sampler methods are discussed.
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A pocket-size device for monitoring gaseous elemental mercury by passive sampling on a Nano-Au screen-printed electrode and detection by single drop smartphone-controlled voltammetry. Microchem J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2022.107642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Pocket Mercury-Vapour Detection System Employing a Preconcentrator Based on Au-TiO 2 Nanomaterials. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21248255. [PMID: 34960349 PMCID: PMC8708684 DOI: 10.3390/s21248255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In environments polluted by mercury vapors that are potentially harmful to human health, there is a need to perform rapid surveys in order to promptly identify the sources of emission. With this aim, in this work, a low cost, pocket-sized portable mercury measurement system, with a fast response signal is presented. It consists of a preconcentrator, able to adsorb and subsequently release the mercury vapour detected by a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor. The preconcentrator is based on an adsorbing layer of titania/gold nanoparticles (TiO2NP/AuNPs), deposited on a micro-heater that acts as mercury thermal desorption. For the detection of the released mercury vapour, gold electrodes QCM (20 MHz) have been used. The experimental results, performed in simulated polluted mercury-vapour environments, showed a detection capability with a prompt response. In particular, frequency shifts (-118 Hz ± 2 Hz and -30 Hz ± 2 Hz) were detected at concentrations of 65 µg/m3 Hg0 and 30 µg/m3 Hg0, with sampling times of 60 min and 30 min, respectively. A system limit of detection (LOD) of 5 µg/m3 was evaluated for the 30 min sampling time.
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Avossa J, De Cesare F, Papa P, Zampetti E, Bearzotti A, Marelli M, Pirrone N, Macagnano A. Characteristics and Performances of a Nanostructured Material for Passive Samplers of Gaseous Hg. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 20:E6021. [PMID: 33113994 PMCID: PMC7660345 DOI: 10.3390/s20216021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Passive air samplers (PASs) have been used for mapping gaseous mercury concentration in extensive areas. In this work, an easy-to-use and -prepare gold nanoparticle (NP)-based PAS has been investigated. The PAS is constituted of a microfibrous quartz disk filter impregnated of gold NP photo-growth on TiO2 NPs (Au@TiO2) and used as gaseous mercury adsorbing material. The disk was housed in a cylinder glass container and subjected to an axial diffusive sampling. The adsorbed mercury was measured by thermal desorption using a Tekran® instrument. Different amounts of Au@TiO2 (ranging between 4.0 and 4.0 × 10-3 mg) were deposited by drop-casting onto the fibrous substrate and assessed for about 1 year of deployment in outdoor environment with a mercury concentration mean of about 1.24 ± 0.32 ng/m3 in order to optimize the adsorbing layer. PASs showed a linear relation of the adsorbed mercury as a function of time with a rate of 18.5 ± 0.4 pg/day (≈1.5% of the gaseous concentration per day). However, only the PAS with 4 mg of Au@TiO2, provided with a surface density of about 3.26 × 10-2 mg/mm2 and 50 μm thick inside the fibrous quartz, kept stability in working, with a constant sampling rate (SR) (0.0138 ± 0.0005 m3/day) over an outdoor monitoring experimental campaign of about 1 year. On the other hand, higher sampling rates have been found when PASs were deployed for a few days, making these tools also effective for one-day monitoring. Furthermore, these PASs were used and re-used after each thermal desorption to confirm the chance to reuse such structured layers within their samplers, thus supporting the purpose to design inexpensive, compact and portable air pollutant sampling devices, ideal for assessing both personal and environmental exposures. During the whole deployment, PASs were aided by simultaneous Tekran® measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Avossa
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research—National Research Council, Research Area of Rome 1, Via Salaria km 23,600, Monterotondo, 00016 Rome, Italy; (J.A.); (F.D.C.); (P.P.); (E.Z.); (A.B.)
- Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, CH-9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Fabrizio De Cesare
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research—National Research Council, Research Area of Rome 1, Via Salaria km 23,600, Monterotondo, 00016 Rome, Italy; (J.A.); (F.D.C.); (P.P.); (E.Z.); (A.B.)
- Department of Innovation in Biological Systems, Food and Forestry (DIBAF), Via S. Camillo de Lellis, University of Tuscia, 00100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Paolo Papa
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research—National Research Council, Research Area of Rome 1, Via Salaria km 23,600, Monterotondo, 00016 Rome, Italy; (J.A.); (F.D.C.); (P.P.); (E.Z.); (A.B.)
| | - Emiliano Zampetti
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research—National Research Council, Research Area of Rome 1, Via Salaria km 23,600, Monterotondo, 00016 Rome, Italy; (J.A.); (F.D.C.); (P.P.); (E.Z.); (A.B.)
| | - Andrea Bearzotti
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research—National Research Council, Research Area of Rome 1, Via Salaria km 23,600, Monterotondo, 00016 Rome, Italy; (J.A.); (F.D.C.); (P.P.); (E.Z.); (A.B.)
| | - Marcello Marelli
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies “Giulio Natta” (SCITEC)—National Research Council, c/o Area di Ricerca di Milano 1, Sede Fantoli, Via Fantoli 16/15, 20138 Milano, Italy;
| | - Nicola Pirrone
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research—National Research Council, Division of Rende, UNICAL Polifuzionale, 87036 Rende, Italy;
| | - Antonella Macagnano
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research—National Research Council, Research Area of Rome 1, Via Salaria km 23,600, Monterotondo, 00016 Rome, Italy; (J.A.); (F.D.C.); (P.P.); (E.Z.); (A.B.)
- Department of Innovation in Biological Systems, Food and Forestry (DIBAF), Via S. Camillo de Lellis, University of Tuscia, 00100 Viterbo, Italy
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Lyman SN, Cheng I, Gratz LE, Weiss-Penzias P, Zhang L. An updated review of atmospheric mercury. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 707:135575. [PMID: 31784172 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The atmosphere is a key component of the biogeochemical cycle of mercury, acting as a reservoir, transport mechanism, and facilitator of chemical reactions. The chemical and physical behavior of atmospheric mercury determines how, when, and where emitted mercury pollution impacts ecosystems. In this review, we provide current information about what is known and what remains uncertain regarding mercury in the atmosphere. We discuss new ambient, laboratory, and theoretical information about the chemistry of mercury in various atmospheric media. We review what is known about mercury in and on solid- and liquid-phase aerosols. We present recent findings related to wet and dry deposition and spatial and temporal trends in atmospheric mercury concentrations. We also review atmospheric measurement methods that are in wide use and those that are currently under development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth N Lyman
- Bingham Research Center, Utah State University, 320 N Aggie Blvd., Vernal, UT, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, 4820 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, USA.
| | - Irene Cheng
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 4905 Dufferin St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lynne E Gratz
- Environmental Studies Program, Colorado College, 14 East Cache la Poudre St., Colorado Springs, CO, USA
| | - Peter Weiss-Penzias
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Leiming Zhang
- Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 4905 Dufferin St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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