Exposure of agricultural crops to nanoparticle CeO2 in biochar-amended soil

Effect of biochar amendment on bacterial community and their role in nutrient acquisition in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) grown under elevated CO2

Global climate change is anticipated to shift the soil bacterial community structure and plant nutrient utilization. The use of biochar amendment can positively influence soil bacterial community structure, soil properties, and nutrient use efficiency of crops. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism and response of bacterial community structure to biochar amendment, and its role in nutrient enhancement in soil and plants under elevated CO2. Herein, the effect of biochar amendment (0, 0.5, 1.5%) on soil bacterial community structure, spinach growth, physiology, and soil and plant nutrient status were investigated under two CO2 concentrations (400 and 600 μmol mol-1). Findings showed that biochar application 1.5% (B.2.E) significantly increased the abundance of the bacterial community responsible for growth and nutrient uptake i.e. Firmicutes (42.25%) Bacteroidetes (10.46%), and Gemmatimonadetes (125.75%) as compared to respective control (CK.E) but interestingly abundance of proteobacteria decreased (9.18%) under elevated CO2. Furthermore, the soil available N, P, and K showed a significant increase in higher biochar-amended treatments under elevated CO2. Spinach plants exhibited a notable enhancement in growth and photosynthetic pigments when exposed to elevated CO2 levels and biochar, as compared to ambient CO2 conditions. However, there was variability observed in the leaf gas exchange attributes. Elevated CO2 reduced spinach roots and leaves nutrient concentration. In contrast, the biochar amendment (B2.E) enhanced root and shoot Zinc (494.99%-155.33%), magnesium (261.15%-183.37%), manganese (80.04%-152.86%), potassium (576.24%-355.17%), calcium (261.88%-165.65%), copper (325.42%-282.53%) and iron (717.63%-177.90%) concentration by influencing plant physiology and bacterial community. These findings provide insights into the interaction between plant and bacterial community under future agroecosystems in response to the addition of biochar contributing to a deeper understanding of ecological dynamics.

Enriched biochars with silicon and calcium nanoparticles mitigated salt toxicity and improved safflower plant performance

Modifying biochar with nano-nutrients is one of the most effective methods in improving the efficiency of biochar in reducing the adverse effects of environmental stresses such as salinity on plant growth and productivity. The possible effects of solid biochar, nano-silicon dioxide enriched biochar, nano-calcium carbonate enriched biochar, and combined application of these enriched biochars on physiological performance of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) were evaluated under different levels of salt stress (non-saline, 6 and 12 dSm-1). Salt stress increased sodium content, reactive oxygen species generation, and antioxidant enzymes activity, but decreased potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, silicon, photosynthetic pigments, leaf water content, and seed yield (by about 36%) of safflower plants. The addition of biochar forms to the saline soil improved growth (up to 24.6%) and seed yield (up to 37%) of safflower by reducing sodium accumulation (by about 32%) and ROS generation and enhancing nutrient uptake, photosynthetic pigments, and water contents of leaves. The combined forms of enriched biochars were the best treatment on reducing salt stress effects on safflower plants. Therefore, application of enriched biochars has a high potential to reduce the harmful effects of salt stress on plants.

Boosting plant resilience: The promise of rare earth nanomaterials in growth, physiology, and stress mitigation

Rare earth elements (REE) have been extensively used in a variety of applications such as cell phones, electric vehicles, and lasers. REEs are also used as nanomaterials (NMs), which have distinctive features that make them suitable candidates for biomedical applications. In this review, we have highlighted the role of rare earth element nanomaterials (REE-NMs) in the growth of plants and physiology, including seed sprouting rate, shoot biomass, root biomass, and photosynthetic parameters. In addition, we discuss the role of REE-NMs in the biochemical and molecular responses of plants. Crucially, REE-NMs influence the primary metabolites of plants, namely sugars, amino acids, lipids, vitamins, enzymes, polyols, sorbitol, and mannitol, and secondary metabolites, like terpenoids, alkaloids, phenolics, and sulfur-containing compounds. Despite their protective effects, elevated concentrations of NMs are reported to induce toxicity and affect plant growth when compared with lower concentrations, and they not only induce toxicity in plants but also affect soil microbes, aquatic organisms, and humans via the food chain. Overall, we are still at an early stage of understanding the role of REE in plant physiology and growth, and it is essential to examine the interaction of nanoparticles with plant metabolites and their impact on the expression of plant genes and signaling networks.

Accumulation and Release of Cadmium Ions in the Lichen Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. and Wood-Derived Biochar: Implication for the Use of Biochar for Environmental Biomonitoring

Biochar (BC) boasts diverse environmental applications. However, its potential for environmental biomonitoring has, surprisingly, remained largely unexplored. This study presents a preliminary analysis of BC's potential as a biomonitor for the environmental availability of ionic Cd, utilizing the lichen Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. as a reference organism. For this purpose, the lichen E. prunastri and two types of wood-derived biochar, biochar 1 (BC1) and biochar 2 (BC2), obtained from two anonymous producers, were investigated for their ability to accumulate, or sequester and subsequently release, Cd when exposed to Cd-depleted conditions. Samples of lichen and biochar (fractions between 2 and 4 mm) were soaked for 1 h in a solution containing deionized water (control), 10 µM, and 100 µM Cd2+ (accumulation phase). Then, 50% of the treated samples were soaked for 24 h in deionized water (depuration phase). The lichen showed a very good ability to adsorb ionic Cd, higher than the two biochar samples (more than 46.5%), and a weak ability to release the metal (ca. 6%). As compared to the lichen, BC2 showed a lower capacity for Cd accumulation (-48%) and release (ca. 3%). BC1, on the other hand, showed a slightly higher Cd accumulation capacity than BC2 (+3.6%), but a release capacity similar to that of the lichen (ca. 5%). The surface area and the cation exchange capacity of the organism and the tested materials seem to play a key role in their ability to accumulate and sequester Cd, respectively. This study suggests the potential use of BC as a (bio)monitor for the presence of PTEs in atmospheric depositions and, perhaps, water bodies.

Nanomaterials biotransformation: In planta mechanisms of action

Research on engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) exposure has continued to expand rapidly, with a focus on uncovering the underlying mechanisms. The EU largely limits the number and the type of organisms that can be used for experimental testing through the 3R normative. There are different routes through which ENMs can enter the soil-plant system: this includes the agricultural application of sewage sludges, and the distribution of nano-enabled agrochemicals. However, a thorough understanding of the physiological and molecular implications of ENMs dispersion and chronic low-dose exposure remains elusive, thus requiring new evidence and a more mechanistic overview of pathways and major effectors involved in plants. Plants can offer a reliable alternative to conventional model systems to elucidate the concept of ENM biotransformation within tissues and organs, as a crucial step in understanding the mechanisms of ENM-organism interaction. To facilitate the understanding of the physico-chemical forms involved in plant response, synchrotron-based techniques have added new potential perspectives in studying the interactions between ENMs and biota. These techniques are providing new insights on the interactions between ENMs and biomolecules. The present review discusses the principal outcomes for ENMs after intake by plants, including possible routes of biotransformation which make their final fate less uncertain, and therefore require further investigation.

Chemicals/materials of emerging concern in farmlands: sources, crop uptake and potential human health risks

Certain chemicals/materials that are contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) have been widely detected in water bodies and terrestrial systems worldwide while other CECs occur at undetectable concentrations. The primary sources of CECs in farmlands are agricultural inputs, such as wastewater, biosolids, sewage sludge, and agricultural mulching films. The percent increase in cropland area during 1950-2016 was 30 and the rise in land use for food crops during 1960-2018 was 100-500%, implying that there could be a significant CEC burden in farmlands in the future. In fact, the alarming concentrations (μg kg^-1) of certain CECs such as PBDEs, PAEs, and PFOS that occur in farmlands are 383, 35 400 and 483, respectively. Also, metal nanoparticles are reported even at the mg kg^-1 level. Chronic root accumulation followed by translocation of CECs into plants results in their detectable concentrations in the final plant produce. Thus, there is a continuous flow of CECs from farmlands to agricultural produce, causing a serious threat to the terrestrial food chain. Consequently, CECs find their way to the human body directly through CEC-laden plant produce or indirectly via the meat of grazing animals. Thus, human health could be at the most critical risk since several CECs have been shown to cause cancers, disruption of endocrine and cognitive systems, maternal-foetal transfer, neurotoxicity, and genotoxicity. Overall, this comprehensive review provides updated information on contamination of chemicals/materials of concern in farmlands globally, sources for their entry, uptake by crop plants, and their likely impact on the terrestrial food chain and human health.

Effect of three aging processes on physicochemical and As(V) adsorption properties of Ce/Mn-modified biochar

Modified biochar used for soil remediation is affected by exposure to the environment and aging process results in changes in its physicochemical properties and As(V) adsorption and immobilization in soil. Herein, the Ce/Mn-modified wheat straw-biochar (MBC) was manufactured and then aged through three artificial aging processes by exposure to soil with additional natural, freeze-thaw, and dry-wet cycles involved. It revealed that the specific surface areas of freeze-thaw-aged MBC reached 214.98 m²/g and was increased more than those of other two aging treatments. In addition, the pH values and C contents of MBC all decreased after aging while the H and O contents increased. Correspondingly, the contents of O-containing functional groups like C-O, -OH, and CO all increased by >16% with aging. The freeze-thaw cycling and alternating dry-wet aging treatments improved adsorption capacities of As(V) onto MBC and were increased by 16.2 and 10.6% at pH 5, respectively and these samples exhibited the best recyclability and adsorption selectivity for As(V). However, natural aging exerted a lower effect for As(V) adsorption by MBC due to its few changes on physicochemical properties. Causally, the freeze-thaw and dry-wet aging activated the Ce/Mn-oxides to generate Mn^2+/3+ species and a new mono-Ce that exerted a strong bonding complexation with As(V) to form Ce/Mn-O-As ligands and increased CeAsO₄ precipitation. Our results offer a new insight into the alterations expected for modified biochars with aging treatment in terms of As(V) adsorption for its long-term utilization in As contaminated soil.

Nano-pollution: Why it should worry us

Nanoparticles are immensely diverse both in terms of quality and sources of emission into the environment. Nowadays, nanotechnologies are developing and growing at a rapid pace without specific rules and regulations, leading to a severe effect on environment and affecting the labours in outdoor and indoor workplaces. The continue and enormous use of NPs for industrial and commercial purposes, has put a pressing need to think whether the increasing use of these NPs could overcome the severe environmental effects and unknown human health risks. Only a few studies have been carried out to assess the toxic effect of these NPs resulting from their direct or indirect exposure. There is in an increasing clamour to consider environmental implications of NPs and to monitor the outcome of NP during use in biological testing. There remain many open questions for consideration. An adequate research is required to determine the real toxic effect of these NPs on environment and human health. In this review, we have discussed the negative effects of NPs on environment and biosphere at large and the future research required.

Incorporation of engineered nanoparticles of biochar and fly ash against bacterial leaf spot of pepper

In agriculture, the search for higher net profit is the main challenge in the economy of the producers and nano biochar attracts increasing interest in recent years due to its unique environmental behavior and increasing the productivity of plants by inducing resistance against phytopathogens. The effect of rice straw biochar and fly ash nanoparticles (RSBNPs and FNPs, respectively) in combination with compost soil on bacterial leaf spot of pepper caused by Xanthomonascampestris pv. vesicatoria was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. The application of nanoparticles as soil amendment significantly improved the chili pepper plant growth. However, RSBNPs were more effective in enhancing the above and belowground plant biomass production. Moreover, both RSBNPs and FNPs, significantly reduced (30.5 and 22.5%, respectively), while RSBNPs had shown in vitro growth inhibition of X.campestris pv. vesicatoria by more than 50%. The X-ray diffractometry of RSBNPs and FNPs highlighted the unique composition of nano forms which possibly contributed in enhancing the plant defence against invading X.campestris pv. vesicatoria. Based on our findings, it is suggested that biochar and fly ash nanoparticles can be used for reclaiming the problem soil and enhance crop productivity depending upon the nature of the soil and the pathosystem under investigation.

Ingested Engineered Nanomaterials Affect the Expression of Mucin Genes-An In Vitro-In Vivo Comparison

The increasing use of engineered nanomaterials (ENM) in food has fueled the development of intestinal in vitro models for toxicity testing. However, ENM effects on intestinal mucus have barely been addressed, although its crucial role for intestinal health is evident. We investigated the effects of ENM on mucin expression and aimed to evaluate the suitability of four in vitro models of increasing complexity compared to a mouse model exposed through feed pellets. We assessed the gene expression of the mucins MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, MUC13 and MUC20 and the chemokine interleukin-8 in pre-confluent and confluent HT29-MTX-E12 cells, in stable and inflamed triple cultures of Caco-2, HT29-MTX-E12 and THP-1 cells, and in the ileum of mice following exposure to TiO₂, Ag, CeO₂ or SiO₂. All ENM had shared and specific effects. CeO₂ downregulated MUC1 in confluent E12 cells and in mice. Ag induced downregulation of Muc2 in mice. Overall, the in vivo data were consistent with the findings in the stable triple cultures and the confluent HT29-MTX-E12 cells but not in pre-confluent cells, indicating the higher relevance of advanced models for hazard assessment. The effects on MUC1 and MUC2 suggest that specific ENM may lead to an elevated susceptibility towards intestinal infections and inflammations.

Nanostructured Ceria: Biomolecular Templates and (Bio)applications

Ceria (CeO2) nanostructures are well-known in catalysis for energy and environmental preservation and remediation. Recently, they have also been gaining momentum for biological applications in virtue of their unique redox properties that make them antioxidant or pro-oxidant, depending on the experimental conditions and ceria nanomorphology. In particular, interest has grown in the use of biotemplates to exert control over ceria morphology and reactivity. However, only a handful of reports exist on the use of specific biomolecules to template ceria nucleation and growth into defined nanostructures. This review focusses on the latest advancements in the area of biomolecular templates for ceria nanostructures and existing opportunities for their (bio)applications.

Silver Nanoparticle's Toxicological Effects and Phytoremediation

The advancement in nanotechnology has brought numerous benefits for humans in diverse areas including industry, medicine, and agriculture. The demand in the application of nanomaterials can result in the release of these anthropogenic materials into soil and water that can potentially harm the environment by affecting water and soil properties (e.g., soil texture, pH, organic matter, and water content), plants, animals, and subsequently human health. The properties of nanoparticles including their size, surface area, and reactivity affect their fate in the environment and can potentially result in their toxicological effects in the ecosystem and on living organisms. There is extensive research on the application of nano-based materials and the consequences of their release into the environment. However, there is little information about environmentally friendly approaches for removing nanomaterials from the environment. This article provides insight into the application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), as one of the most commonly used nanomaterials, their toxicological effects, their impacts on plants and microorganisms, and briefly reviews the possibility of remediation of these metabolites using phytotechnology approaches. This article provides invaluable information to better understand the fate of nanomaterials in the environment and strategies in removing them from the environment.

Copper Oxide Nanomaterial Fate in Plant Tissue: Nanoscale Impacts on Reproductive Tissues

A thorough understanding of the implications of chronic low-dose exposure to engineered nanomaterials through the food chain is lacking. The present study aimed to characterize such a response in Cucurbita pepo L. (zucchini) upon exposure to a potential nanoscale fertilizer: copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles. Zucchini was grown in soil amended with nano-CuO, bulk CuO (100 mg Kg^-1), and CuSO₄ (320 mg Kg^-1) from germination to flowering (60 days). Nano-CuO treatment had no impact on plant morphology or growth nor pollen formation and viability. The uptake of Cu was comparable in the plant tissues under all treatments. RNA-seq analyses on vegetative and reproductive tissues highlighted common and nanoscale-specific components of the response. Mitochondrial and chloroplast functions were uniquely modulated in response to nanomaterial exposure as compared with conventional bulk and salt forms. X-ray absorption spectroscopy showed that the Cu local structure changed upon nano-CuO internalization, suggesting potential nanoparticle biotransformation within the plant tissues. These findings demonstrate the potential positive physiological, cellular, and molecular response related to nano-CuO application as a plant fertilizer, highlighting the differential mechanisms involved in the exposure to Cu in nanoscale, bulk, or salt forms. Nano-CuO uniquely stimulates plant response in a way that can minimize agrochemical inputs to the environment and therefore could be an important strategy in nanoenabled agriculture.

Effect of nano cerium oxide on soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) crop exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations

This study evaluated the uptake and translocation of cerium nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) and soluble Ce(NO3)3 by soybean plants (Glycine max L. Merrill) under the whole plant life-cycle and relevant environmental concentrations, 0.062 and 0.933 mg kg-1, which represent maximal values for 2017 in agricultural soils and sludge treated soils, respectively. The experiments were carried out using a nutrient solution. Cerium was detected in the soybean roots epidermis and cortex, leaves, and grains, but it neither impaired plant development nor grain yield. The concentration of Ce in the shoot increased as a function of time for plants treated with Ce(NO3)3, while it remained constant for plants treated with CeO2 NPs. It means that CeO2 NPs were absorbed in the same rate as biomass production, which suggests that they are taken up and transported by water mass flow. Single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry revealed clusters of CeO2 NPs in leaves of plants treated with 25 nm CeO2 NPs (ca. 30-45 nm). The reprecipitation of soluble cerium from Ce(NO3)3 within the plant was not confirmed. Finally, bioconcentration factors above one were found for the lowest concentrated treatments. Since soybean is a widespread source of protein for animals, we draw attention to the importance of evaluating the effects of Ce entrance in the food chain and its possible biomagnification.

How can biochar-based metal oxide nanocomposites counter salt toxicity in plants?

Application of biochar-based metal oxide nanocomposites can acquire new composites and combine the benefits of biochar with nanomaterials. For the first time, this research was conducted to evaluate the possible effects of solid biochar (25 g biochar kg^-1 soil) and biochar-based nanocomposites (BNCs) of magnesium oxide (25 g BNC-MgO kg^-1 soil), manganese oxide (25 g BNC-MnO biochar kg^-1 soil) and combined use of these nanocomposites (12.5 g BNC-MgO + 12.5 g BNC-MnO kg^-1 soil) on salt (non-saline, 6 and 12 dSm^-1 NaCl salinities) tolerance of safflower plants (Carthamus tinctorius L.). Salinity reduced potassium, magnesium and manganese contents in root and leaf tissues, chlorophyll content index, photosynthetic pigments, maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and relative photosynthetic electron transport rate (RETR), leaf water content and plant biomass, but increased the sodium content, reactive oxygen species generation (ROS), oxidative stress and antioxidants and ROS detoxification potential of safflower roots and leaves. Application of biochar and BNCs increased the contents of potassium, manganese and magnesium in plant tissues, photosynthetic pigments, Fv/Fm and RETR, leaf water content and reduced sodium accumulation, ROS generation and oxidative stress under saline conditions, leading to a higher plant biomass in comparison with control. The BNC-MgO + BNC-MnO was the superior treatment on reducing salt toxicity. This treatment reduced oxidative stress by enhancing photosynthetic pigments, Fv/Fm and RETR of safflower under salt stress. These results revealed that BNCs have a great potential for improving salt tolerance of plants through increasing RETR and decreasing sodium accumulation and ROS generation.

Single and Repeated Applications of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Differently Affect the Growth and Biomass Accumulation of Silene flos-cuculi L. (Caryophyllaceae)

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nCeO2) have a wide variety of applications in industry. Models demonstrated that nCeO2 can reach environmental compartments. Studies regarding the relationships between plants and nCeO2 considered only crop species, whereas a relevant knowledge gap exists regarding wild plant species. Specimens of Silene flos-cuculi (Caryophyllaceae) were grown in greenhouse conditions in a substrate amended with a single dose (D1) and two and three doses (D2 and D3) of 20 mg kg-1 and 200 mg kg-1 nCeO2 suspensions, respectively. sp-ICP-MS and ICP-MS data demonstrated that nCeO2 was taken up by plant roots and translocated towards aerial plant fractions. Biometric variables showed that plants responded negatively to the treatments with a shortage in biomass of roots and stems. Although not at relevant concentrations, Ce was accumulated mainly in roots and plant leaves.

Interaction of Copper-Based Nanoparticles to Soil, Terrestrial, and Aquatic Systems: Critical Review of the State of the Science and Future Perspectives

In the past two decades, increased production and usage of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) have inevitably increased their discharge into the different compartments of the environment, which ultimately paved the way for their uptake and accumulation in various trophic levels of the food chain. Due to these issues, several questions have been raised on the usage of NPs in everyday life and have become a matter of public health concern. Among the metallic NPs, Cu-based NPs have gained popularity due to their cost-effectiveness and multifarious promising uses. Several studies in the past represented the phytotoxicity of Cu-based NPs on plants. However, comprehensive knowledge is still lacking. Additionally, the impact of Cu-based NPs on soil organisms such as agriculturally important microbes, fungi, mycorrhiza, nematode, and earthworms is poorly studied. This review article critically analyses the literature data to achieve a more comprehensive knowledge on the toxicological profile of Cu-based NPs and increase our understanding of the effects of Cu-based NPs on aquatic and terrestrial plants as well as on soil microbial communities. The underlying mechanism of biotransformation of Cu-based NPs and the process of their penetration into plants have also been discussed herein. Overall, this review could provide valuable information to design rules and regulations for the safe disposal of Cu-based NPs into a sustainable environment.

Soybean Interaction with Engineered Nanomaterials: A Literature Review of Recent Data

With a continuous increase in the production and use in everyday life applications of engineered nanomaterials, concerns have appeared in the past decades related to their possible environmental toxicity and impact on edible plants (and therefore, upon human health). Soybean is one of the most commercially-important crop plants, and a perfect model for nanomaterials accumulation studies, due to its high biomass production and ease of cultivation. In this review, we aim to summarize the most recent research data concerning the impact of engineered nanomaterials on the soya bean, covering both inorganic (metal and metal-oxide nanoparticles) and organic (carbon-based) nanomaterials. The interactions between soybean plants and engineered nanomaterials are discussed in terms of positive and negative impacts on growth and production, metabolism and influences on the root-associated microbiota. Current data clearly suggests that under specific conditions, nanomaterials can negatively influence the development and metabolism of soybean plants. Moreover, in some cases, a possible risk of trophic transfer and transgenerational impact of engineered nanomaterials are suggested. Therefore, comprehensive risk-assessment studies should be carried out prior to any mass productions of potentially hazardous materials.

Potential toxicity of trace elements and nanomaterials to Chinese cabbage in arsenic- and lead-contaminated soil amended with biochars

To our knowledge, this is the first report on exploring the interactive effects of various biochars (BCs) and nanomaterials (NMs) on plant growth and bioavailability of trace elements in soil. This study evaluated the bioavailability and toxicity of arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and NMs to cabbage plants. The BCs were produced from rice husk (RB), sewage sludge, and bamboo wood (WB). The BCs at 2.5 and 5% (w w^-1), NMs for removing As (NMs-As) and heavy metals (NMs-HM) at 3000 mg kg^-1, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) at 1000 mg kg^-1 were applied in bioassay and incubation experiments (40 days), along with the unamended soil as the control. Results showed that the NMs-As and NMs-HM decreased seed germination at 3 days after sowing; however, their toxicity was eliminated by BCs. Growth parameters of cabbage revealed that the CNT was the most toxic NMs, as it was translocated in root and leaf cells, which was confirmed by transmission electron microscopic images. Bioavailable Pb was reduced by 1.2-3.8-folds in all amended rhizosphere and bulk soils. Amendments of 2.5% WB + NMs-As and 2.5% RB + NMs-As significantly decreased both bioavailable As and Pb.

Irrigation Water Quality—A Contemporary Perspective

In the race to enhance agricultural productivity, irrigation will become more dependent on poorly characterized and virtually unmonitored sources of water. Increased use of irrigation water has led to impaired water and soil quality in many areas. Historically, soil salinization and reduced crop productivity have been the primary focus of irrigation water quality. Recently, there is increasing evidence for the occurrence of geogenic contaminants in water. The appearance of trace elements and an increase in the use of wastewater has highlighted the vulnerability and complexities of the composition of irrigation water and its role in ensuring proper crop growth, and long-term food quality. Analytical capabilities of measuring vanishingly small concentrations of biologically-active organic contaminants, including steroid hormones, plasticizers, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products, in a variety of irrigation water sources provide the means to evaluate uptake and occurrence in crops but do not resolve questions related to food safety or human health effects. Natural and synthetic nanoparticles are now known to occur in many water sources, potentially altering plant growth and food standard. The rapidly changing quality of irrigation water urgently needs closer attention to understand and predict long-term effects on soils and food crops in an increasingly fresh-water stressed world.

Mechanisms and reutilization of modified biochar used for removal of heavy metals from wastewater: A review

Heavy metals (HMs) pose serious threat to both human and environmental health and therefore, effective and low-cost techniques to remove HMs are urgently required. Because HMs are difficult to be biodegraded and transformed, adsorption is a most promising treatment method in recent times. Biochar (BC), a low-cost and sustainable adsorbent material, has recently attracted much research attention due to its broad application prospects. While BC has many merits, it has a lower HMs adsorption efficiency than traditional activated carbon, limiting its practical applications. Furthermore, the HMs retained by BC are difficult to be desorbed, making the used sorbent material hazardous wastes if not well disposed of under natural conditions. Therefore, it is critical to seek effective surface modifications for BC, to improve its ability to HMs removal ability and the recyclability of BC loaded with HMs. This review represents and evaluates the reported modification methods for BC, the corresponding HMs removal mechanisms and the potential for reutilization of BC loaded with HMs. This review provides a basis for the effective practical application of BC in the treatment of HMs containing wastewater.

Benefits and limitations of biochar amendment in agricultural soils: A review

Current agriculture faces multiple challenges due to rapid increases in food demand and environmental concerns. Recently, biochar application in agricultural soils has attracted a good deal of attention. According to literature findings, biochar has proven to play various beneficial roles with respect to the enhancement of crop yield as a fertilizer and soil quality as a soil conditioner. It can further be used to remediate soil pollution as an adsorbent, while supporting the mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) through the expansion of the soil carbon pool. The efficacy of biochar application on agricultural environments is found to be controlled by various factors such as pyrolysis temperature, feed stock, soil type, and biotic interactions. The combined effects of these factors may thus exert a decisive control on the overall outcome. Furthermore, the biochar application can also be proven to be detrimental in some scenarios. This review evaluates both the potential benefits and limitations of biochar application in agriculture soils.

Plant uptake and translocation of contaminants of emerging concern in soil

The advent of industrialization has led to the discovery of a wide range of chemicals designed for multiple uses including plant protection. However, after use, most of the chemicals and their derivatives end up in soil and water, interacting with living organisms. Plants, which are primary producers, are intentionally or unintentionally exposed to several chemicals, serving as a vehicle for the transfer of products into the food chain. Although the exposure of pesticides towards plants has been witnessed over a long time in agricultural production, other chemicals have attracted attention very recently. In this review, we carried out a comprehensive overview of the plant uptake capacity of various contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in soil, such as pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, perfluorinated compounds, pharmaceutical and personal care products, and engineered nanomaterials. The uptake pathways and overall impacts of these chemicals are highlighted. According to the literature, bioaccumulation of CEC in the root part is higher than in aerial parts. Furthermore, various factors such as plant species, pollutant type, and microbial interactions influence the overall uptake. Lastly, environmental factors such as soil erosion and temperature can also affect the CEC bioavailability towards plants.

Engineered nanomaterials for plant growth and development: A perspective analysis

With the overwhelmingly rapid advancement in the field of nanotechnology, the engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have been extensively used in various areas of the plant system, including quality improvement, growth and nutritional value enhancement, gene preservation etc. There are several recent reports on the ENMs' influence on growth enhancements, growth inhibition as well as certain toxic impacts on plant. However, translocation, growth responses and stress modulation mechanisms of ENMs in the plant systems call for better and in-depth understanding. Herein, we are presenting a comprehensive and critical account of different types of ENMs, their applications and their positive, negative and null impacts on physiological and molecular aspects of plant growth, development and stress responses. Recent reports revealed mixed effects on plants, ranging from enhanced crop yield, epi/genetic alterations, and phytotoxicity, resulting from the ENMs' exposure. Creditable research in recent years has revealed that the effects of ENMs on plants are species specific and are variable among plant species. ENM exposures are reported to trigger free radical formation, responsive scavenging, and antioxidant armories in the exposed plants. The ENMs are also reported to induce aberrant expressions of microRNAs, the key post-transcriptional regulators of plant growth, development and stress-responses of plants. However, these modulations, if judiciously done, may lead to improved plant growth and yield. A better understanding of the interactions between ENMs and plant responses, including their uptake transport, internalization, and activity, could revolutionize crop production through increased disease resistance, nutrient utilization, and crop yield. Therefore, in this review, we are presenting a critical account of the different selected ENMs, their uptake by the plants, their positive/negative impacts on plant growth and development, along with the resultant ENM-responsive post-transcriptional modifications, especially, aberrant miRNA expressions. In addition, underlying mechanisms of various ENM-plant cell interactions have been discussed.

Bioaccumulation of CeO2 Nanoparticles by Earthworms in Biochar-Amended Soil: A Synchrotron Microspectroscopy Study

The interactions of nanoparticles (NPs) with biochar and soil components may substantially influence NP availability and toxicity to biota. In the present study, earthworms ( Eisenia fetida) were exposed for 28 days to a residential or agricultural soil amended with 0-2000 mg of CeO₂ NP/kg and with biochar (produced by the pyrolysis of pecan shells at 350 and 600 °C) at various application rates [0-5% (w/w)]. After 28 days, earthworms were depurated and analyzed for Ce content, moisture content, and lipid peroxidation. The results showed minimal toxicity to the worms; however, biochar (350 or 600 °C) was the dominant factor, accounting for 94 and 84% of the variance for the moisture content and lipid peroxidation, respectively, in the exposed earthworms. For both soils with 1000 mg of CeO₂/kg at 600 °C, biochar significantly decreased the accumulation of Ce in the worm tissues. Amendment with 350 °C biochar had mixed responses on Ce uptake. Analysis by micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) and micro X-ray absorption near edge structure (μ-XANES) was used to evaluate Ce localization, speciation, and persistence in CeO₂- and biochar-exposed earthworms after depuration for 12, 48, and 72 h. Earthworms from the 500 mg of CeO₂/kg and 0% biochar treatments eliminated most Ce after a 48 h depuration period. However, in the same treatment and with 5% BC-600 (biochar pyrolysis temperature of 600 °C), ingested biochar fragments (∼50 μm) with Ce adsorbed to the surfaces were retained in the gut after 72 h. Additionally, Ce remained in earthworms from the 2000 mg of CeO₂/kg and 5% biochar treatments after depuration for 48 h. Analysis by μ-XANES showed that, within the earthworm tissues, Ce remained predominantly as Ce⁴⁺O₂, with only few regions (2-3 μm²) where it was found in the reduced form (Ce³⁺). The present findings highlight that soil and biochar properties have a significant influence in the internalization of CeO₂ NPs in earthworms; such interactions need to be considered when estimating NP fate and effects in the environment.

Xylem and Phloem Based Transport of CeO2 Nanoparticles in Hydroponic Cucumber Plants

Uptake and translocation of manufactured nanoparticles (NPs) in plants have drawn much attention due to their potential toxicity to the environment, including food webs. In this paper, the xylem and phloem based transport of CeO₂ NPs in hydroponic cucumber plants was investigated using a split-root system. One half of the root system was treated with 200 or 2000 mg/L of CeO₂ NPs for 3 days, whereas the other half remained untreated, with both halves sharing the same aerial part. The quantitative distribution and speciation of Ce in different plant tissues and xylem sap were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, transmission electron microscope, X-ray absorption near edge structure, and X-ray fluorescence. Results show that about 15% of Ce was reduced from Ce(IV) to Ce(III) in the roots of the treated-side (TS), while almost all of Ce remained Ce(IV) in the blank-side (BS). The detection of CeO₂ or its transformation products in the xylem sap, shoots, and BS roots indicates that Ce was transported as a mixture of Ce(IV) and Ce(III) from roots to shoots through xylem, while it was transported almost only in the form of CeO₂ from shoots back to roots through phloem. To our knowledge, this is the first report of root-to-shoot-to-root redistribution after transformation of CeO₂ NPs in plants, which has significant implications for food safety and human health.

Weathering in soil increases nanoparticle CuO bioaccumulation within a terrestrial food chain

This study evaluates the bioaccumulation of unweathered (U) and weathered (W) CuO in NP, bulk and ionic form (0-400 mg/kg) by lettuce exposed for 70 d in soil co-contaminated with field incurred chlordane. To evaluate CuO trophic transfer, leaves were fed to crickets (Acheta domestica) for 15 d, followed by insect feeding to lizards (Anolis carolinensis). Upon weathering, the root Cu content of the NP treatment increased 214% (327 ± 59.1 mg/kg) over unaged treatment. Cu root content decreased in bulk and ionic treatments from 70-130 mg/kg to 13-26 mg/kg upon aging in soil. Micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) analysis of W-NP-exposed roots showed a homogenous distribution of Cu (and Ca) in the tissues. Additionally, micro X-ray absorption near-edge (μ-XANES) analysis of W-NP-exposed roots showed near complete transformation of CuO to Cu (I)-sulfur and oxide complexes in the tissues, whereas in unweathered treatment, most root Cu remained as CuO. The expression level of nine genes involved in Cu transport shows that the mechanisms of CuO NPs (and bulk) response/accumulation are different than ionic Cu. The chlordane accumulation by lettuce upon co-exposure to CuO NPs significantly increased upon weathering. Conversely, bulk and ionic exposures decreased pesticide accumulation by plant upon weathering. The Cu cricket fecal content from U-NP-exposed insects was significantly greater than the bulk or ion treatments, suggesting a higher initial NP accumulation followed by significantly greater elimination during depuration. In the lizard, Cu content in the intestine, body and head did not differ as a function of weathering. This study demonstrates that CuO NPs may undergo transformation processes in soil upon weathering that subsequently impact NPs availability in terrestrial food chains.