Nanobioremediation: Ecofriendly application of nanomaterials

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) or nanomaterials (NMs) or nanostructure materials (NSMs) or nanoclusters (NCs) or nanocomposites (NCMPs) exhibit unique physical properties, chemical properties, and biochemical properties; and hence it has received much attention from scientists and researchers in different fields of sciences, engineering, and technology. Applications of NPs or NMs or NSMs or NCs or (NCMPs) have also increased in different areas of environmental sciences including bioremediation. Bioremediation provides a good cleanup strategy for some types of waste such as effluent, agriculture, and domestic waste; but as it is expected, it is not effective for all. Therefore, NPs or NMs or NSMs or NCs or NCMPs may be applied for rapid, effective, and efficient bioremediation, which will not only have less toxic effect on microorganism; it will also improve the microbial efficiency and activity for the rapid degradations of specific organic waste and to reduce the toxic and hazardous effect of heavy metals. The use of NPs or NMs or NSMs or NCs or NCMPs will be rapid, efficient, effective, and economic. In this chapter, we have summarized the major type of NPs or NMs or NSMs or NCs that have been currently used for bioremediation of waste, wastewater, and toxic materials.