Abstract
As food demand and agricultural intensity increase, fertilisers and crop-protection products can introduce unwanted substances into soil and groundwater. This review considers nanotechnology as a possible tool for more precise agricultural inputs, environmental detection and the remediation of contaminated sites.
The article examines applications of nanomaterials in agro-environmental research, focusing on what may happen after these materials enter water or soil. It considers their mobility, transformation and interaction with surrounding environmental components, as well as the practical benefits and potential toxicological concerns associated with their use.
The reviewed evidence suggests that selected nanomaterials may contribute to pollution detection and remediation. The source review reported potential adverse effects for a limited subset of the materials it assessed, while emphasising the need to evaluate behaviour, exposure and environmental context carefully.
This record summarises a historical review. Nanomaterial assessment continues to develop, so readers should compare its conclusions with current research and applicable guidance before drawing practical conclusions.
Topics covered
- Nanoparticle behaviour in agricultural soil and water
- Detection and treatment of contaminated sites
- Photocatalytic approaches to environmental remediation
- Potential environmental benefits and toxicological concerns
- Connections between soil degradation, water quality and desertification
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How to use this record
Begin with the abstract for the article’s scope, then consult the full text for the reviewed evidence, terminology and limitations. When using the work in a new assessment, distinguish the article’s historical publication context from more recent developments in nanomaterial characterisation and environmental risk evaluation.