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BackgroundSuper-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are widely used metal nanoparticles for various applications for its magnetic property and biocompatibility. In recent years, pollution of our environment especially with heavy metals in waterbodies has become a major threat and has left us very minimal sources of freshwater to drink. SPIONs or surface modified SPIONs can be used to remove these heavy metalsMethodsSPIONs were synthesized by co-precipitation method and further coated with a biopolymer, chitosan. Chromium solution was treated with the synthesized SPIONs to study the efficiency of chromium removal by surface adsorption. Later, the adsorption was analysed by direct and indirect analysis methods using UV-VIS spectrophotometry and isotherm studies.ResultsStable chitosan-coated SPIONs were synthesized and they adsorbed chromium better than the uncoated SPIONs, where it was adsorbing up to 100 ppm. Adsorption was found to be increasing with decrease in pH.ConclusionThe surface-modified SPIONs expressed cumulative adsorption action. Even after the adsorption studies, chitosan-coated SPIONs were possessing magnetic property. Thus, the surface-modified SPIONs can become an ideal nanotechnology tool to remove the chromium from groundwater.

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Nanoparticles usage are now emerging as hazardous nanopollutants due to inappropriate usage and improper disposal. Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) is a widely used nanoparticle with various applications. In this study, SPIONs was evaluated for its impact against Vigna radiata and Eudrilus eugeniae. SPIONs were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method in presence of cobalt chloride. The produced SPIONs was characterized using UV-Visible Spectroscopy, SEM (Scanning electron microscopy), EDX (Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), TEM (Transmission electron microscopy), AFM (Atomic force microscopy), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and Zeta potential. The synthesized SPIONs were crystalline and monodispersed with size ranging between 15 nm and 20 nm. The seedlings of SPIONs treated Vigna radiata were found to have reduced root and shoot growth. The bioaccumulation of iron oxide in the treated plants was confirmed by ICP-OES (Inductively coupled plasma -optical emission spectrometry) analysis and Prussian blue staining. Cellular destruction and reduced reproduction rate were found in SPIONs exposed Eudrilus eugeniae and ICP-OES analysis of earthworm samples affirmed the bioaccumulation of SPIONs.