ICDSUPL2-E012

Volume: 2, 2023
2^nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT

Abstract number: E012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.E012

Published online: 19 April 2023

ICDSUPL, 2, E012 (2023)

The transformations of nanoparticles determine their behavior in the environment

Mikołaj Feculak¹*, Izabela Jośko¹

¹ Institute of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology,  Faculty of Agrobioengineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin; Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland

^{* Corresponding author: mikolaj.feculak@up.lublin.pl}

Abstract

Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) are materials owing at least one dimension is in the nano scale (1-100 nm). Such small sizes result in a high surface-to-volume ratio and a greater number of exposed reactive atoms, giving ENPs distinct properties from their larger counterparts. Due to their unique characteristics, the global production of ENPs has dramatically increased in recent years, driven by the growing demand for such products in various industries, agriculture, medicine, and daily life. However, due to their widespread use, there is a high risk of NPs dissemination in the environment. Our work focuses on reviewing the current knowledge on the transformation of ENPs in the soil. The evaluation of the role of ENPs transformation in determining their fate and toxicity in the environment will help assess the risk associated with increasing soil pollution with ENPs. Once ENPs enter the soil, they can undergo various physical, chemical and biological modifications that affect their physicochemical propertie such like morphology, stability surface charge, dissolution rate. Further, for example changes in the dissolution rate of ENPs in the environment  may directly modulate their biological impact. Released metal ions from ENPs can cause damage of biological membranes, induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and therefore increase oxidative stress in organisms. Furthermore, ENPs in the soil can also interact with soil particles and ingredients, including proteins, humic substances (HS), and exopolysaccharides (EPS) secreted by microorganisms. The adsorption of biomolecules on the surface of ENPs creates a biocorona, which gives ENPs a biological identity. The process of biocorona formation is diverse and depends on the properties of ENPs, including size, shape, surface charge, hydrophobicity, and environmental conditions such as pH, temperature, and biological medium composition. The presence of biocorona has a significant impact on the bioavailability of ENPs for living organisms, facilitates the crossing of biological membranes, and enables the uptake of ENPs by cellular receptors. It can also participate in mitigating or inducing ENP toxicity. This study responds to the urgent need of analyzing presence of emerging contaminants in soil and includes the under-explored scenarios of ENPs transformations in the soil environment.

How to cite

M. Feculak, I. Jośko, 2023. The transformations of nanoparticles determine their behavior in the environment. In: 2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.E012