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Critical review of the characteristics, interactions, and toxicity of micro/nanomaterials pollutants in aquatic environments
Summary
This review examined the behavior, interactions, and toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics alongside metal nanoparticles in aquatic environments. Researchers found that these pollutants interact in complex ways that can affect organisms, and the study also explored how metal nanoparticles could potentially be used to remove microplastics from water due to their photocatalytic and magnetic properties.
A wide range of contaminants of emerging concern such as micro/nanoplastics (MPs/PNPs) and metal-nanoparticles (Me-NPs) from anthropogenic activities have been identified in aquatic environments. The hazardous effects of these micro/nanomaterials as pollutants in organisms and the lack of knowledge about their behavior in aquatic environments have generated growing concern in the scientific community. The nanomaterials have a colloidal-type behavior due to their size range but with differences in their physicochemical properties. This review comprises the behavior of micro/nanomaterials pollutants and the physicochemical interactions between MPs/PNPs and Me-NPs in aquatic environments, and their potential toxicological effects in organisms. Moreover, this article describes the potential use of Me-NPs to remove MPs/PNPs present in the water column due to their photocatalytic and magnetic properties. It also discusses the challenge to determine harmful effects of micro/nanomaterials pollutants in organisms and provides future research directions to improve integrated management strategies to mitigate their environmental impact.