Soil Remediation Applications of Nanoparticles

Abstract

Soil pollution occurs when abnormally high concentrations of toxic substances are present in the soil. The occurrence of inorganic and organic pollutants in the soil has become a critical environmental and public health threat. Due to their unique characteristics of high reactivity, selectivity, and versatility, nanomaterials have shown great potential to face complex issues and develop novel approaches for soil remediation. In this chapter, we provide an outline on the soil composition, major pollutants, and impact on human health and the ecosystem. We have also emphasised the numerous conventional soil remediation methods, the nano-based remediation approaches, and the diverse kinds of nanomaterials employed, assessing their application in the future for soil remediation. This chapter also addresses the following key points: (i) the applications and corresponding mechanisms of various nanomaterials for soil remediation and (ii) the environmental implications of various nanomaterials during remediation applications.