Nanotechnology in soil remediation: A new horizon

Abstract

Soil contamination poses a critical threat to environmental quality, agricultural productivity, and human health worldwide. Traditional soil remediation techniques, while effective in some cases, often suffer from limitations such as high cost, time consumption, and incomplete pollutant removal. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative solution in environmental engineering, offering innovative strategies to address complex soil pollution challenges. This review explores the application of nanotechnology in soil remediation, highlighting the diverse range of nanomaterials used—including zero-valent iron nanoparticles, carbon-based nanomaterials, and polymeric nano-systems—and their mechanisms of action such as adsorption, redox transformation, and catalytic degradation. The unique physicochemical properties of nanoparticles, including their high surface area and reactivity, allow for efficient and targeted removal of both organic and inorganic contaminants. The review also discusses recent case studies, advantages over conventional methods, and critical concerns related to ecotoxicity, environmental fate, scalability, and regulatory oversight. While nanoremediation holds immense promise for advancing sustainable land management, careful evaluation of its risks and long-term impacts is essential to ensure safe and responsible deployment in real-world settings.