Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Macroscopic Observation of Soil Nitrification Kinetics Impacted by Copper Nanoparticles: Implications for Nanotechnology for Micronutrient Fertilizer

Version 1 : Received: 2 October 2018 / Approved: 3 October 2018 / Online: 3 October 2018 (12:46:58 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

VandeVoort, A.R.; Arai, Y. Macroscopic Observation of Soil Nitrification Kinetics Impacted by Copper Nanoparticles: Implications for Micronutrient Nanofertilizer. Nanomaterials 2018, 8, 927. VandeVoort, A.R.; Arai, Y. Macroscopic Observation of Soil Nitrification Kinetics Impacted by Copper Nanoparticles: Implications for Micronutrient Nanofertilizer. Nanomaterials 2018, 8, 927.

Abstract

The potential agricultural use of metal nanoparticles (NPs) for slow-release micronutrient fertilizers is beginning to be investigated by both industry and regulatory agencies. However, the impact of such NPs on soil biogeochemical cycles is not clearly understood. In this study, impacts of a commercially-available copper NPs on the soil nitrification kinetics was investigated via batch experiments. The X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy analysis showed that the NPs readily oxidized to Cu(II) and strongly retained in soils with minimum dissolution (<1% of total mass). The Cu2+ (aq) at 1mg/L showed the beneficial effect on the nitrification, an increase in the rate of nitrification kinetics (Vmax). However Vmax was negatively impacted by ionic Cu at 10-100mg/L and CuNP at 1-100 mg/L. The trace metal toxicity of soil nitrifiers seems to be critical in the soil nitrification processes. Among CuNPs, the suppressed nitrification kinetics was concentration dependent at >10mg/L. The reaction products of surface oxidation such as the release of ionic Cu seem to play an important role in suppressing the nitrification process. Considering the potential use of copper NPs as a slow-release micronutrient fertilizer, further studies are needed in heterogeneous soil systems.

Keywords

Copper nanoparticles, nano-fertilizer, soil, nitrification, nitrification kinetics, toxicity

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Comments (0)

We encourage comments and feedback from a broad range of readers. See criteria for comments and our Diversity statement.

Leave a public comment
Send a private comment to the author(s)
* All users must log in before leaving a comment
Views 0
Downloads 0
Comments 0
Metrics 0


×
Alerts
Notify me about updates to this article or when a peer-reviewed version is published.
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here.