No significant toxicological effects were found on soil or water organisms when ecotoxicological tests were undertaken for a range of nanoparticles that could be used for remediation projects:
- NanoFer 25S, made from nanoscale zero-valent iron, used for the remediation of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the large scale flume pilot experiment, and at Spolchemie I, Czech Republic.
- Carbo-Iron, a composite made from activated carbon and zero-valent iron, to be used for the remediation of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the large-scale flume pilot experiment, and at Balassagyarmat, Hungary.
- Fe-Oxide, nanoscale goethite, used for the remediation of toluene in the large-scale container pilot experiment, and at Spolchemie II, Czech Republic.
- Fe-Zeolites, aluminosilicate containing an iron catalyst, used in lab-scale remediation studies.
- Bionanomagnetite, (with and without 5% Pd), nanomagnetite produced by bacteria, used in lab-scale remediation studies.
These were tested for their effects on a range of organisms, mostly using standard methods published e.g. by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). These organisms were:
- Eisenia fetida, earthworm, used for its relevance upon ingesting soil and skin contact with contaminants in soil.
- Lolium multiflorum (ryegrass) and Raphanus sativus (radish), representing monocotyledon and dicotyledon plants, used for their relevance in contact exposure of germinating seeds and roots.
- Daphnia magna, aquatic crustacean, used for its relevance for ingesting suspended particles and contaminants in water.
- Lumbriculus variegatus, freshwater oligochaete, used for its relevance for ingesting sedimented and suspended particles and filtering freshwater.
- Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, microscopic green algae, used for its relevance in contact exposure in aquatic environments.
- Vibrio fischeri, bioluminescent marine bacterium, used for its high sensitivity to contaminants, and relevance to marine environments.
Ecotoxicity testing will continue for any new nanoparticles or formulations developed as the NanoRem project progresses.
For more information, download the full press release Paul Bardos | 05/06/2015 11:58
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