Nanoparticles (NPs) are being increasingly used in soil remediation due to their unique properties, such as high surface area, reactivity, and ability to target specific contaminants. Some of the most common NPs used in soil remediation include:

• Nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI): nZVI is a versatile NP that can be used to degrade a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals, chlorinated organic compounds, and pesticides. It works by reducing contaminants to their less harmful forms.📷Opens in a new window📷www.mdpi.comNanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) nanoparticle
• Titanium dioxide (TiO2): TiO2 is a photocatalyst, which means it can use light to break down contaminants. It is particularly effective at degrading organic contaminants, such as pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).📷Opens in a new window📷en.wikipedia.orgTitanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle
• Zinc oxide (ZnO): ZnO is another photocatalyst that can be used to degrade organic contaminants. It is also effective at immobilizing heavy metals, which prevents them from leaching into groundwater.📷Opens in a new window📷ssnano.comZinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle
• Carbon nanotubes (CNTs): CNTs have a high surface area, which makes them effective at adsorbing contaminants. They can be used to remove a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals, organic compounds, and radioactive materials.📷Opens in a new window📷www.researchgate.netCarbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanoparticle

Microbes play a vital role in soil fertility and productivity. They are responsible for breaking down organic matter, cycling nutrients, and fixing nitrogen from the air. Without microbes, soils would be infertile and unproductive.

Some of the key roles of microbes in soil fertility and productivity include:

• Decomposition of organic matter: Microbes break down organic matter into simpler compounds that can be used by plants. This process is essential for recycling nutrients in the soil.
• Nutrient cycling: Microbes help to cycle nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, between the soil, plants, and animals. This process is essential for plant growth.
• Nitrogen fixation: Some microbes, such as legumes, are able to fix nitrogen from the air and make it available to plants. This process is essential for plant growth in nitrogen-deficient soils.

In addition to these roles, microbes also help to improve soil structure, suppress plant diseases, and promote plant growth.

Dr Murtadha Shukur thank you for your contribution to the discussion

First, nano-adsorbents such as activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, grapheme, manganese oxide, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide and ferric oxides that are usually applied for removal of heavy metals from the wastewater. Nanoparticles in the remediation of environmental contaminants and their functions. Remediation of chlorinated organic solvents, dyes, pesticides, heavy metals, and antibiotics contaminated water bodies. Increase the rate and efficiency of remediation. Antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral property. Nanoscale calcium peroxide used for degrading organic compounds like gasoline. Nanoscale zerovalent iron utilized for destroying organic compounds that are halogenated. Nanoscale metal oxides used for metal adsorption. The employment of different nanomaterials in the treatment of wastewater has opened up a world of possibilities for heavy metal and pesticide removal, as well as the treatment of microbes and organic contaminants in wastewater. Nanomaterials are also being specially tailored for their use in agriculture as nano-fertilizers, nano-pesticides, and nano-based biosensors, which is leading to their accumulation in the soil. The presence of ENMs considerably affects the soil microbiome, including the abundance and diversity of microbes. Soil microorganisms are responsible for most of the nutrient release from organic matter. When microorganisms decompose organic matter, they use the carbon and nutrients in the organic matter for their own growth. They release excess nutrients into the soil where they can be taken up by plants.Soil microbes can break down plant organic matter to carbon dioxide or convert it to dissolved organic carbon (DOC) compounds. This leads either to long-term carbon storage, because DOC can bind to soil particles, or to the release of carbon back to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Plant microbiomes are agriculturally important bioresources for agriculture as beneficial microbes may enhance plant growth and improve plant nutrition uptake through solubilization of P, K, and Zn, nitrogen fixation, and other mechanisms including siderophore production. Microorganisms increase the source of nitrogen in the soil, or they can supply it directly to the plant, as they have the ability to take and set nitrogen from the atmosphere. Thanks to microorganisms, there is an increase in the bioavailability of phosphorus in the soil. Microbes are a basic part of the ecosystem and play a significant role in soil fertility. Accumulation of different metal and metal oxide nanoparticles such as silver, copper, titanium, iron, zinc, carbon, etc. adversely affected the microbial and functional diversity in the soil.