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Nanoparticles: Interaction with Microorganisms

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Nanoparticles in the Water Cycle

Abstract

Recent lab experiments have shown the adverse effects of nanoparticles on microorganisms. However, due to various set-ups and test designs with different methods of toxicity measurement a direct comparison of the results presented is questionable. The toxicity of the nanoparticles depends on their chemical composition and can be influenced by factors such as size, shape and charge and by components of the suspension leading to aggregation. It is attractive to assume that there are toxic effects of nanoparticles in environmental systems which differ significantly from those obtained in idealised model suspensions and for bulk material. Although, the exact mode of bactericidal action has not been well understood, the amount of adhered nanoparticles, the dissolution of metal ions and the production of reactive oxygen species seem to be relevant aspects. Hence, the various effects leading to the bactericidal action should be further investigated to exclude risks for the environment caused by insufficient knowledge.

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Acknowledgement

We thank Luis Tercero for the revision of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Engler Bunte Institut, Chair of Water Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Engler-Bunte-Ring 1, D-76131, Karlsruhe, Germany

    Heiko Schwegmann & Fritz H. Frimmel

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  1. Heiko Schwegmann
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  2. Fritz H. Frimmel
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Correspondence to Fritz H. Frimmel .

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  1. Engler-Bunte-Institut, Bereich Wasserchemie, Universität Karlsruhe, Engler-Bunte-Ring 1, Karlsruhe, 76131, Germany

    Fritz H. Frimmel

  2. Inst f Wasserchemie u Chem Balneologie, TU München, Marchioninistr. 17, München, 81337, Germany

    R. Niessner

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Schwegmann, H., Frimmel, F.H. (2010). Nanoparticles: Interaction with Microorganisms. In: Frimmel, F., Niessner, R. (eds) Nanoparticles in the Water Cycle. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-10318-6_10

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