Chemical transformations of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) during wastewater treatment and sludge treatment must be characterized to accurately assess the risks that these nanomaterials pose from land application of biosolids. Here, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and supporting characterization methods are used to determine the chemical speciation of Ag and Zn in sludge from a pilot wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) that had received PVP coated 50 nm Ag NPs and 30 nm ZnO NPs, dissolved metal ions, or no added metal. The effects of composting and lime and heat treatment on metal speciation in the resulting biosolids were also examined. All added Ag was converted to Ag2S, regardless of the form of Ag added (NP vs ionic). Zn was transformed to three Zn-containing species, ZnS, Zn3(PO4)2, and Zn associated Fe oxy/hydroxides, also regardless of the form of Zn added. Zn speciation was the same in the unamended control sludge. Ag2S persisted in all sludge treatments. Zn3(PO4)2 persisted in sludge and biosolids, but the ratio of ZnS and Zn associated with Fe oxy/hydroxide depended on the redox state and water content of the biosolids. Limited differences in Zn and Ag speciation among NP-dosed, ion-dosed, and control biosolids indicate that these nanoparticles are transformed to similar chemical forms as bulk metals already entering the WWTP.

The present review covers developments in studies of nanomaterials (NMs) in the environment since our much cited review in 2008. We discuss novel insights into fate and behavior, metrology, transformations, bioavailability, toxicity mechanisms, and environmental impacts, with a focus on terrestrial and aquatic systems. Overall, the findings were that: 1) despite substantial developments, critical gaps remain, in large part due to the lack of analytical, modeling, and field capabilities, and also due to the breadth and complexity of the area; 2) a key knowledge gap is the lack of data on environmental concentrations and dosimetry generally; 3) substantial evidence shows that there are nanospecific effects (different from the effects of both ions and larger particles) on the environment in terms of fate, bioavailability, and toxicity, but this is not consistent for all NMs, species, and relevant processes; 4) a paradigm is emerging that NMs are less toxic than equivalent dissolved materials but more toxic than the corresponding bulk materials; and 5) translation of incompletely understood science into regulation and policy continues to be challenging. There is a developing consensus that NMs may pose a relatively low environmental risk, but because of uncertainty and lack of data in many areas, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn. In addition, this emerging consensus will likely change rapidly with qualitative changes in the technology and increased future discharges.

Nanoparticles from the rapidly increasing number of consumer products that contain manufactured nanomaterials are being discharged into waste streams. Increasing evidence suggests that several classes of nanomaterials may accumulate in sludge derived from wastewater treatment and ultimately in soil following land application as biosolids. Little research has been conducted to evaluate the impact of nanoparticles on terrestrial ecosystems, despite the fact that land application of biosolids from wastewater treatment will be a major pathway for the introduction of manufactured nanomaterials to the environment. To begin addressing this knowledge gap, we used the model organisms Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Xanthi and Manduca sexta (tobacco hornworm) to investigate plant uptake and the potential for trophic transfer of 5, 10, and 15 nm diameter gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs). Samples were analyzed using both bulk analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) as well as spatially resolved methods such as laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and X-ray fluorescence (μXRF). Our results demonstrate trophic transfer and biomagnification of gold nanoparticles from a primary producer to a primary consumer by mean factors of 6.2, 11.6, and 9.6 for the 5, 10, and 15 nm treatments, respectively. This result has important implications for risks associated with nanotechnology, including the potential for human exposure.

We used the model organisms Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Xanthi (tobacco) and Triticum aestivum (wheat) to investigate plant uptake of 10-, 30-, and 50-nm diameter Au manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) coated with either tannate (T-MNMs) or citrate (C-MNMs). Primary particle size, hydrodynamic size, and zeta potential were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and electrophoretic mobility measurements, respectively. Plants were exposed to NPs hydroponically for 3 or 7 days for wheat and tobacco, respectively. Volume averaged Au concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Spatial distribution of Au in tissue samples was determined using laser ablation ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) and scanning X-ray fluorescence microscopy (μXRF). Both C-MNMs and T-MNMs of each size treatment bioaccumulated in tobacco, but no bioaccumulation of MNMs was observed for any treatment in wheat. These results indicate that MNMs of a wide range of size and with different surface chemistries are bioavailable to plants, provide mechanistic information regarding the role of cell wall pores in plant uptake of MNMs, and raise questions about the importance of plant species to MNM bioaccumulation.

To investigate the role of particle size on the oxidation, bioavailability, and adverse effects of manufactured Cu nanoparticles (NPs) in soils, we exposed the earthworm Eisenia ferida to a series of concentrations of commercially produced NPs labeled as 20- to 40-nm or < 100-nm Cu in artificial soil media. Effects on growth, mortality, reproduction, and expression of a variety of genes associated with metal homeostasis, general stress, and oxidative stress were measured. We also used X-ray absorption spectroscopy and scanning X-ray fluorescence microscopy to characterize changes in chemical speciation and spatial distribution of the NPs in soil media and earthworm tissues. Exposure concentrations of Cu NPs up to 65 mg kg(-1) caused no adverse effects on ecologically relevant endpoints. Increases in metallothionein expression occurred at concentrations exceeding 20 mg kg(-1) of Cu NPs and concentrations exceeding 10 mg kg(-1) of CuSO4. Based on the relationship of Cu tissue concentration to metallothionein expression level and the spatial distribution and chemical speciation of Cu in the tissues, we conclude that Cu ions and oxidized Cu NPs were taken up by the earthworms. This study suggests that oxidized Cu NPs may enter food chains from soil but that adverse effects in earthworms are likely to occur only at relatively high concentrations (> 65 mg Cu kg(-1) soil).