Behavior Modification Could Ease Concerns about Nanoparticles

Summary posted by Meridian on 11/12/2009
Source: American Chemical Society
Author: n/a

A new study, published November 12, in the journal Environmental Science & Technology ("Fate of Silica Nanoparticles in Simulated Primary Wastewater Treatment"), reports on the development of a technology for changing the behavior of nanoparticles in municipal sewage treatment plants. Sewage treatment plants are the main gateway for nanoparticles to enter the environment, and large increases in the production of such nanoparticles are expected in the next decade. Studies have indicated that some nanoparticles could have adverse environmental health effects. The study, conducted by the United Kingdom Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, showed that coating silica nanoparticles with a detergent-like material resulted in the nanoparticles clumping together into a solid residue termed sewage sludge. Uncoated nanoparticles stayed in the water and remained in the effluent stream. The scientists say the findings demonstrate the potential for coating, or changing the surface chemistry of nanoparticles, as a way to re-route the journey of nanoparticles through sewage treatment plants. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

As tagged by Meridian Institute:

Related Forums:

NDN Home

Manage Subscription

Search News Archives

Nanotechnology Quintuples Heating Capacity of Solar Water Heaters -- Renewable Energy Magazine (9/1/2010) Researchers at the University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil, have developed a solar heating system that uses nanotechnology to heat water to five times the temperature of a conventional system, while also permitting the collector surface area to retain up to 98 percent of heat from solar radiation. [More]

Pakistan's Science Minister Attacks Funding Cuts -- SciDev.Net (9/1/2010) The Pakistan government has cuts its funds for the Pakistan Ministry of Science and Technology's 2010-2011 budget by almost half, causing the science minister, Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, to criticize his own government. [More]

Nanotechnology: Small wonders -- Nature (9/1/2010) This article takes an in-depth look at the United States National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI)'s first 10 years - to find out where the money went and what the initiative plans to do next. [More]

Nanotech on Farmers' Fields -- Silicon Nutrition (8/31/2010) A plant nutrition study that addresses nano-sized plant nutrients is now available from the Landbouwkundige Uitgeverij G.C. van den Berg (Veenendaal, The Netherlands). [More]

More News...

Learn how to include these headlines on your own website by clicking here.

Please email us if you require text-only versions of the daily emails.








our team contact us site map	Behavior Modification Could Ease Concerns about Nanoparticles Summary posted by Meridian on 11/12/2009 Source: American Chemical Society Author: n/a A new study, published November 12, in the journal Environmental Science & Technology ("Fate of Silica Nanoparticles in Simulated Primary Wastewater Treatment"), reports on the development of a technology for changing the behavior of nanoparticles in municipal sewage treatment plants. Sewage treatment plants are the main gateway for nanoparticles to enter the environment, and large increases in the production of such nanoparticles are expected in the next decade. Studies have indicated that some nanoparticles could have adverse environmental health effects. The study, conducted by the United Kingdom Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, showed that coating silica nanoparticles with a detergent-like material resulted in the nanoparticles clumping together into a solid residue termed sewage sludge. Uncoated nanoparticles stayed in the water and remained in the effluent stream. The scientists say the findings demonstrate the potential for coating, or changing the surface chemistry of nanoparticles, as a way to re-route the journey of nanoparticles through sewage treatment plants. The article can be viewed online at the link below. The original article may still be available at portal.acs.org/portal/acs/corg/content?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PP_ART... As tagged by Meridian Institute: Implications: Governance, Environmental Risks Nanomaterials: Naturally Occurring Regions: Europe Stakeholders: Government, Academia Water And Sanitation: Quality, Sanitation Minerals And Metals: Minerals Related Forums: Water and Sanitation Metals and Minerals Environmental Risks Governance print format	NDN Home Subscribe Manage Subscription Search News Archives Nanotechnology Quintuples Heating Capacity of Solar Water Heaters -- Renewable Energy Magazine (9/1/2010) Researchers at the University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil, have developed a solar heating system that uses nanotechnology to heat water to five times the temperature of a conventional system, while also permitting the collector surface area to retain up to 98 percent of heat from solar radiation. [More] Pakistan's Science Minister Attacks Funding Cuts -- SciDev.Net (9/1/2010) The Pakistan government has cuts its funds for the Pakistan Ministry of Science and Technology's 2010-2011 budget by almost half, causing the science minister, Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, to criticize his own government. [More] Nanotechnology: Small wonders -- Nature (9/1/2010) This article takes an in-depth look at the United States National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI)'s first 10 years - to find out where the money went and what the initiative plans to do next. [More] Nanotech on Farmers' Fields -- Silicon Nutrition (8/31/2010) A plant nutrition study that addresses nano-sized plant nutrients is now available from the Landbouwkundige Uitgeverij G.C. van den Berg (Veenendaal, The Netherlands). [More] More News... Learn how to include these headlines on your own website by clicking here. Please email us if you require text-only versions of the daily emails.