The range of nanomaterial applications has expanded recently from catalysis, electronics, and filtration to therapeutics, diagnostics, agriculture, and food because of unique properties and potentials of different nanoparticles and nanomaterials. Research shows that these exquisite particles can interact with an organism at the cellular, physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels. However, our knowledge of how they affect these changes, selectively or generally, in diverse organism or ecosystems is very limited and far from satisfactory. Data indicate that the biological function largely depends on the shape, size, and surface characteristics of the nanoparticles used besides life cycle stages of an organism. Therefore, this compilation will focus on the body of work carried out by distinguished investigators using diverse nanomaterials and plant and animal species. This book includes specific case studies as well as general review articles highlighting aspects of multilayered interactions, and targets not only research and academic scholars but also the concerned industry and policy makers as well.

This book focuses on the recent progress of nanotechnology with emphasis on the interaction between nanoparticles and plants on the cellular level. It is devoted to understanding the pathways of nanomaterials entry into plant cell and their influence on cellular organelle processes and influence on crop yield. It consists of 16 chapters grouped in 3 parts: Part I Cellular mechanisms, Part II Cellular macromolecules, and Part III Implications of nanomaterials. Chapters present the plant response to nanomaterial applications including morphological, physiochemical, and anatomical changes and their effect on plant growth and productivity. The book discusses the mechanisms of absorbance and translocation of nanoparticles and their interaction with the plant cellular biochemical compounds and organelles. It presents the current perspective of nanomaterials influence on cellular processes which include photosynthesis, photorespiration and pigment synthesis and accumulation. In addition, it provides current understanding of the impact of nanomaterials on cellular macromolecules including carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins, hormones, and antioxidant defense activities. Collectively, these processes and biochemical compounds have implications on crop yield. Chapters are written by globally recognized scientists and subjected to a rigorous review process to ensure quality presentation and scientific precision. Chapter begins with an introduction that covers similar contexts and includes a detailed discussion of the topic accompanied by high-quality color images, diagrams, and relevant details and concludes with recommendations for future study directions. Chapter "Impact of Nanomaterials on Plant Secondary Metabolism" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

The Handbook of Green and Sustainable Nanotechnology presents sustainable and green technologies for the development of products and processes which are environmental friendly, economically sustainable, safe, energy-efficient, decrease waste and diminish greenhouse gas emissions. It provides the overall spectrum of fundamentals, development and applications of sustainable and green technologies. Topics such as legal, health and safety issues are discussed as well. The book elucidates paths to real time utilization of green and sustainable nanotechnology at commercial scale.

Emerging Contaminants in the Environment: Challenges and Sustainable Practices covers all aspects of emerging contaminants in the environment, from basic understanding to different types of emerging contaminants and how these threaten organisms, their environmental fate studies, detection methods, and sustainable practices of dealing with contaminants. Emerging contaminant remediation is a pressing need due to the ever-increasing pollution in the environment, and it has gained a lot of scientific and public attention due to its high effectiveness and sustainability. The discussions in the book on the bioremediation of these contaminants are covered from the perspective of proven technologies and practices through case studies and real-world data. One of the main benefits of this book is that it summarizes future challenges and sustainable solutions. It can, therefore, become an effective guide to the elimination (through sustainable practices) of emerging contaminants. At the back of these explorations on sustainable bioremediation of emerging contaminants lies the set of 17 goals articulated by the United Nations in its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all its member states. This book provides academics, researchers, students, and practitioners interested in the detection and elimination of emerging contaminants from the environment, with the latest advances by leading experts in emerging contaminants the field of environmental sciences. - Covers most aspects of the most predominant emerging contaminants in the environment, including in soil, air, and water - Describes the occurrence of these contaminants, the problems they cause, and the sustainable practices to deal with the contaminants - Includes data from case studies to provide real-world examples of sustainable practices and emerging contaminant remediation

This book discusses inorganic/metallic nanopesticides and fertilizers. Rather than providing a general review of the topic, it offers a critical assessment of what has been achieved and highlights future measures to allow agriculture to profit from the properties of inorganic nanoparticles. It covers a variety of topics, including strategies for preparing cost-effective nanoparticles, their chemistry both within and outside the plant, the effects of nanoparticles in the field and whether the current strategies were successful in increasing crop yields. This book will appeal to readers in academia and industry, as well as stakeholders and anyone who has an interest in the applications of inorganic nanopesticides and nanofertilizers as well as the potential use of these technologies in agriculture.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art applications of nanotechnology in biology and medicine, as well as model organisms that can help us understand the biological activity and associated toxicity of nanoparticles, and devise strategies to minimize toxicity and enhance therapies. Thanks to their high surface-to-volume ratio, nanoparticles are characterized by excellent biocompatibility and bioavailability, a high therapeutic index, and relatively low toxicity, which has led to their widespread application in the early diagnosis of diseases, comprehensive monitoring of disease progression, and improved therapeutics. The book also explores nanoparticle-based insecticides and their mechanisms of action, and provides a comparative analysis of the various model organisms that are used to understand the biological properties of nanoparticles. Further, it describes various in-vivo models that yield important insights into nanomaterial-mediated toxicity, promoting the optimal utilization of nanoparticles. In closing, the book discusses future perspectives and regulatory issues concerning the use of nanomaterials in translational research.

The environment is prone to suffer pollution and toxic insult from generations of nanomaterials as well from accidental releases during production, transportation, and disposal operations. The NMs could interact with and cause adverse biological effects at cellular, subcellular, and molecular levels. Assessing potential environmental/ecological risks requires quality information on transport and fate of nanoparticles in the environment, exposures and vulnerabilities of organisms to the nanomaterials and standard methods for assessing toxicity for aquatic or terrestrial organisms and human health. The systematic risk characterization and evaluation of the safety of nanomaterials require a multidisciplinary approach and convergence of knowledge and efforts from researchers and experts from toxicology, biotechnology, materials science, chemistry, physics, engineering, and other branches of life sciences. Although studies are beginning to appear in the literature addressing the toxicity of various nanomaterials and their potential for exposure, at this stage definitive statements regarding the impacts of nanomaterials on human health and the environment remain sketchy requiring an increased level of precautions with regard to nanomaterials, as has happened with other emerging contaminants and technologies (e.g., biotechnology). The need for an increased level of understanding the perception of risk and of benefits will vary and is likely to influence public, regulatory, and non-governmental activities regarding risk and benefit evaluations. Systematic identification and assessment of the risks posed by any new technology are essential. A prudent, integrated, and holistic approach is required to develop best practices based on the scientific understanding about what we know and what we don’t know but need to know. Nanomaterials addresses key issues of ecotoxicological actions and effects of nanomaterials on life and environment, their threats, vulnerability, risks, and public perception. The readers learn to read bad news objectively and think about and search for ecological ‘green’ solutions to current environmental and ecological problems with blue, grey, brown, and red shades for building a sustainable ecosystem. It shows how this molecular terrain is a common ground for interdisciplinary research and education that will be an essential component of science, engineering and technology in the future. The book is divided into three sections. Section I includes general topics related to ecotoxicity of nanomaterials to microbes, plants, human and environment. Section 2 incorporates risks generated by the use of nanomaterials. Section 3 discusss safety issues and the public.