The Widespread Use of Nanomaterials: The Effects on the Function and Diversity of Environmental Microbial Communities

Abstract

In recent years, as an emerging material, nanomaterials have rapidly expanded from laboratories to large-scale industrial productions. Along with people’s productive activities, these nanomaterials can enter the natural environment of soil, water and atmosphere through various ways. At present, a large number of reports have proved that nanomaterials have certain toxic effects on bacteria, algae, plants, invertebrates, mammalian cell lines and mammals in these environments, but people still know little about the ecotoxicology of nanomaterials. Most relevant studies focus on the responses of model strains to nanomaterials in pure culture conditions, but these results do not fully represent the response of microbial communities to nanomaterials in natural environments. Over the years, the effect of nanomaterials infiltrated into the natural environment on the microbial communities has become a popular topic in the field of nano-ecological environment research. It was found that under different environmental conditions, nanomaterials have various effects on the microbial communities. The medium; the coexisting pollutants in the environment and the structure, particle size and surface modification of nanomaterials may cause changes in the structure and function of microbial communities. This paper systematically summarizes the impacts of different nanomaterials on microbial communities in various environments, which can provide a reference for us to evaluate the impacts of nanomaterials released into the environment on the microecology and has certain guiding significance for strengthening the emission control of nanomaterials pollutants.

Bacterial Communities in the Rhizosphere of Common Bean Plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Grown in an Arable Soil Amended with TiO2 Nanoparticles

“…The application of TiO 2 -NPs often alters the bacterial community structure (e.g., [82,83]; as reviewed by Sun et al [84]), but not always. For instance, Asadishad et al [85] reported that the microbial community in agricultural soil amended with biosolids and spiked with TiO 2 -NPs at 1, 10, or 100 mg kg −1 soil showed negligible changes after 30 days.…”

Silver Nanoparticles May Promote Antibiotic Resistance Gene Persistence in Wastewater Treatment Systems

“…Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) rank as some of the most commonly utilized engineered nanomaterials and are known to enter wastewater collection and treatment systems through their creation, application, and disposal processes [1]. Understanding the effects of AgNPs on the performance of wastewater treatment systems, including treatment wetlands, is critical for safeguarding public health.…”