Innovative Nanoremediation Techniques for Soil Contamination: Exploring Metal Based Nanomaterial Approaches – a Review
A G Mohanapragash, R. K. Kaleeswari, S. Meena, M. Baskar, T Umamaheswari, M. Selvamurugan, T. Ramesh, D Madhupriyaa
Abstract
Soil contamination, resulting from industrial, agricultural and urban activities, poses severe environmental and health risks. Traditional soil remediation methods, though effective are often limited by high costs, lengthy treatment durations and potential secondary pollution. Nanoremediation is a cutting-edge approach to environmental cleanup, utilizing nanomaterials with unique properties to address soil contamination. Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative solution, with metal-based nanomaterials offering promising avenues for efficient and sustainable soil remediation. These nanomaterials, including metallic (nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI), silver (Ag), silica nanoparticles), metal oxides (TiO₂, ZnO, Fe3O4) and bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs) exhibit unique properties such as high surface area, enhanced reactivity and the ability to interact with contaminants at the molecular level. This review explores innovative nanoremediation techniques using metal-based nanomaterials to address a broad range of soil contaminants, including heavy metals, organic pollutants and emerging contaminants. Key mechanisms and potential toxicity employed by these metal-based nanomaterials include adsorption, redox reactions, photocatalysis and immobilization of contaminants Which are discussed below. Overall, metal-based nanomaterials offer a promising, innovative approach to soil remediation with the potential to overcome the limitations of conventional techniques. This review provides an in-depth analysis of current advancements and future prospects in nanoremediation, emphasizing the role of metal-based nanomaterials in achieving sustainable soil health.