Transatlantic initiative for nanotechnology and the environment (TINE)
Lead Research Organisation:
Rothamsted Research
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
We have developed a life cycle conceptual model that suggests the importance of terrestrial ecosystems as a major repository of zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and silver manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) introduced via the land application of MNM-containing sewage sludges. We propose to investigate the transport, fate, behaviour, bioavailability, and effects of MNMs into agroecosystems under environmentally realistic scenarios
The overall objectives are to:
1. Compare the transport, fate, behaviour, bioavailability, and effects of MNMs, a- MNMs, and/or dissolved free metals/bulk oxides to organisms with key terrestrial ecosystem functions, as well as exposure pathways involving humans;
2. Determine MNM, surface modified MNM and a-MNM interactions with important biological targets and relate these interactions to physicochemical properties;
3. Validate models with information generated from experiments designed to address Objective 1 for MNMs introduced through a pilot scale Waste Water Treatment Process (WWTP) to key terrestrial ecoreceptors, including effects of MNMs on the WWTP itself;
4. Determine realistic MNM emission scenarios for Tier 1 MNMs in wastewater from the WWT pilot plant data and develop first generation Life-Cycle-Analysis-inspired Risk Assessment (LCA-RA) model components for terrestrial effects of Tier 1 MNMs and a-MNMS based on data generated in experiments designed to address Objectives 1-3; and
5. Provide tools for in situ detection, monitoring, and characterization of pristine MNMs and a-MNMs in environmental media and biota.
The overall objectives are to:
1. Compare the transport, fate, behaviour, bioavailability, and effects of MNMs, a- MNMs, and/or dissolved free metals/bulk oxides to organisms with key terrestrial ecosystem functions, as well as exposure pathways involving humans;
2. Determine MNM, surface modified MNM and a-MNM interactions with important biological targets and relate these interactions to physicochemical properties;
3. Validate models with information generated from experiments designed to address Objective 1 for MNMs introduced through a pilot scale Waste Water Treatment Process (WWTP) to key terrestrial ecoreceptors, including effects of MNMs on the WWTP itself;
4. Determine realistic MNM emission scenarios for Tier 1 MNMs in wastewater from the WWT pilot plant data and develop first generation Life-Cycle-Analysis-inspired Risk Assessment (LCA-RA) model components for terrestrial effects of Tier 1 MNMs and a-MNMS based on data generated in experiments designed to address Objectives 1-3; and
5. Provide tools for in situ detection, monitoring, and characterization of pristine MNMs and a-MNMs in environmental media and biota.
Planned Impact
unavailable
People |
ORCID iD |
| Stephen Paul McGrath (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Barton LE
(2015)
Monte Carlo simulations of the transformation and removal of Ag, TiO2, and ZnO nanoparticles in wastewater treatment and land application of biosolids.
in The Science of the total environment
Donner E
(2015)
Non-labile silver species in biosolids remain stable throughout 50 years of weathering and ageing
in Environmental Pollution
Durenkamp M
(2016)
Nanoparticles within WWTP sludges have minimal impact on leachate quality and soil microbial community structure and function.
in Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
Judy JD
(2015)
Nanomaterials in Biosolids Inhibit Nodulation, Shift Microbial Community Composition, and Result in Increased Metal Uptake Relative to Bulk/Dissolved Metals.
in Environmental science & technology
Lahive E
(2017)
Sewage sludge treated with metal nanomaterials inhibits earthworm reproduction more strongly than sludge treated with metal metals in bulk/salt forms
in Environmental Science: Nano
Lasat MM
(2018)
Advancing the Understanding of Environmental Transformations, Bioavailability and Effects of Nanomaterials, an International US Environmental Protection Agency-UK Environmental Nanoscience Initiative Joint Program.
in Journal of environmental protection
Ma R
(2014)
Fate of zinc oxide and silver nanoparticles in a pilot wastewater treatment plant and in processed biosolids.
in Environmental science & technology
McGrath, S.P.
(2011)
Nanoparticle bioavailability
McGrath, S.P.
(2015)
Brochure entitled "Trans-Atlantic initiative for nanomaterials in the environment"
| Description | 1)A calibrated nanosilver sediment chemistry model has been developed in the context of the risk assessment activities. It is believed that the majority of nanomaterials eroded from the biosolid amended agroecosystems will eventually end up in the sediments. Therefore a sediment chemistry model capable of predicting the transformations of metal nanoparticles will be essential to understanding the long term risks posed by manmade nanomaterials. 2)A method was developed that allowed for isol |
| Exploitation Route | The results suggest that regulations on the amounts of metals allowed in agricultural soils after biosolids spreading may not be strict enough for biosolids that contain zinc and/or silver that have been derived from nanoparticles. Therefore, they have potentially important implications for stakeholders concerned with the management of the risks of biosolids spreading on land. These stakeholders will include policymakers concerned with setting regulations, and regulators concerned with implantin |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Environment |
| Description | This work investigated key aspects of the environmental behaviour of metallic nanomaterials, namely whether the nanomaterial nature of the material influences its environmental impact. The work provides evidence that the initial nanomaterial nature of a substance can influence its hazard via environmental exposure, even if the pristine material undergoes chemical transformation prior to its entry into the environment. This work has thus provided evidence for the need to consider nanoforms of materials such as silver and zinc as distinct entities within environmental and human health risk assessment. Such evidence is being used by national and supranational bodies (e.g. European Chemicals Agency, European Food Standards Agency) to develop guidelines for requirements on assessing exposure to, and risks of, material nanoforms. In the medium term, this is expected to impact wider society via changes in the volumes and types of nanomaterials used within consumer products, for example silver nanomaterial use to impregnate clothing as an antimicrobial product and zinc oxide nanomaterial use within sunscreens. |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Environment |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | EU-COST FA0905 Mineral improved crop production for healthy food and feed |
| Geographic Reach | Asia |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| URL | http://www.cost.eu/COST_Actions/fa/Actions/FA0905manual |
| Title | Nanosilver sediment chemistry model |
| Description | A calibrated nanosilver sediment chemistry model has been developed in the context of the risk assessment activities. It is believed that the majority of nanomaterials eroded from the biosolid amended agroecosystems will eventually end up in the sediments. Therefore a sediment chemistry model capable of predicting the transformations of metal nanoparticles will be essential to understanding the long term risks posed by manmade nanomaterials |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2015 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | UNKNOWN |
| Description | Transatlantic initiative for nanotechnology and the environment (TINE |
| Organisation | University of Exeter |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Exposing fish in Cranfield WWTF effluent system spiked with ENPs |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | Transatlantic initiative for nanotechnology and the environment (TINE) |
| Organisation | University of Exeter |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Exposing fish in Cranfield WWTF effluent system spiked with ENPs |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | Transatlantic initiative for nanotechnology and the environment (TINE) |
| Organisation | University of Gothenburg |
| Country | Sweden |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | ICPMS technique (FFF coupled to Single Particle) to look at Nano particulate metal in normal river and effluent waters. Effluent from control and NP dosed lines of the TINE pilot plant used to develop this technique. |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | Transatlantic initiative for nanotechnology and the environment (TINE) |
| Organisation | University of Gothenburg |
| Country | Sweden |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | ICPMS technique (FFF coupled to Single Particle) to look at Nano particulate metal in normal river and effluent waters. Effluent from control and NP dosed lines of the TINE pilot plant used to develop this technique. |
| Start Year | 2010 |
| Description | "Silver soils" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Participants in your research or patient groups |
| Results and Impact | Interviewed for an article titled published in the February 2012 edition of Chemistry World. no actual impacts realised to date |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Environmental Nanoscience Initiative - Finale Stakeholder Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Environmental Nanoscience Initiative - Finale Stakeholder Event 10th December 2015, The Royal Society 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | International Year of Soils |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Received lots of positive feedback from the public unknown |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Nanoparticle bioavailability |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Type Of Presentation | keynote/invited speaker |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Talk sparked questions and discussions afterwards Not known |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| Description | Nanoparticle bioavailability, toxicity in terrestrial systems |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 4th International Contaminated Site Remediation Conference none |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Nanoparticle bioavailability: Toxicity in terrestrial environments |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | keynote/invited speaker |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | 6th International Workshop on Chemical Bioavailability in the Terrestrial Environment 2011 CleanUP none |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| Description | Nanoparticle bioavailability: Toxicity in terrestrial environments |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | keynote/invited speaker |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | 6th International Workshop on Chemical Bioavailability in the Terrestrial Environment Nanoparticle bioavailability" 6th International Workshop on Chemical Bioavailability in the Terrestrial Environment, Adelaide, Sept 7-9 and 12-15. 2011. no actual impacts realised to date |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| Description | Nanoparticle toxicity modelling workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | paper presentation |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | ENI Workshop and Grantee meeting none |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Nanoparticles |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Radio Verulam interview 30 July 2015 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Problem particles: Nanoparticles. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Lecture on our Water and Wastewater Engineering MSc course no actual impacts realised to date |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |