(Lu et al. 2019). Some nanosensors designed for detecting soil contaminants have
been discussed here.
Carbendazim is a highly used fungicide. It is a benzimidazole fungicide, and the
difficult decomposition of the benzimidazole ring makes carbendazim remain in
soils for longer periods. It can be uptaken and transferred to trees and plants through
the soil (Huebra et al. 2000). For electrochemical detection of carbendazim, Luo
et al. (2013) fabricated nanosensors with glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified
with MWCNTs-GO nanocomposite. Carbendazim was detected with detection limit
of 5 nm and detection in tap water and soil samples were also verified.
Many aromatic hydrocarbons like BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and
xylene) are toxic and can result in serious short- and long-term health problems.
Matin et al. (2013) reported detection of such complex hydrocarbons at low levels in
soil and water samples. They prepared PVC/MWCNTs nanocomposites by
incorporating polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with MWCNTs.
Heavy metal pollution is a serious matter of concern because of their toxic nature
and long-term presence in the environment. These heavy metals affect the soil
quality, crop yield, and hydrological cycles. Exposure to heavy metals can lead to
dangerous health issues. The platinum group elements (PGMs) include Pt, Rh, Ir,
Os, Ru and Pd. The use of these elements is increasing rapidly as catalysts, jewellery
materials, drugs for cancer treatment etc. Excess of these elements possess potential
threat to human health and environment. Horst et al. (2015) have developed a
nanosensor for detection of PGMs using DPAdsV electrochemical technique.
They modified a glassy carbon electrode with bimetallic NPs of bismuth-silver,
and used DMG as chelating agent. Pd, Pt and Rh were detected with low detection
limit. The applicability of the nanosensors was also displayed in soil and road side
dust samples.
5.3.3.3 Detection of Water Contaminants
‘Water is life’, this indeed is very true, water is essential for survival. Though earth is
called the blue planet as 71% of earth is covered with water, but out of that only 0.3%
is available for human use. Safe water is necessary for consumption, sanitation,
irrigation, household use and industrial growth. But unfortunately, these very
activities especially the release of industrial effluents, are also direct or indirect
causes for polluting the water sources. Every year millions of people get affected
with water-borne diseases caused by water pollution, and many even lose their lives.
Water pollution not only threatens the human existence but it is dangerous for our
whole ecosystem, including the aquatic life, flora and fauna.
Major water pollutants are discharged from agricultural and industrial activities.
For e.g., mercury is released from chloralkali industries; battery industries discharge
cadmium, mercury and lead; pharmaceutical industries release many toxic and
harmful chemicals like persistent organic compounds (POCs); toxic dyes are used
in tanneries and fabric manufacturing plants, and are ultimately discharged in water
sources; toxic pesticides flow into water bodies from the fields, and so forth. Besides
these contaminants, harmful water-borne pathogens also deteriorate the water quality, and are responsible for causing numerous water-borne diseases. Proper and
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U. Chakraborty et al.
been discussed here.
Carbendazim is a highly used fungicide. It is a benzimidazole fungicide, and the
difficult decomposition of the benzimidazole ring makes carbendazim remain in
soils for longer periods. It can be uptaken and transferred to trees and plants through
the soil (Huebra et al. 2000). For electrochemical detection of carbendazim, Luo
et al. (2013) fabricated nanosensors with glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified
with MWCNTs-GO nanocomposite. Carbendazim was detected with detection limit
of 5 nm and detection in tap water and soil samples were also verified.
Many aromatic hydrocarbons like BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and
xylene) are toxic and can result in serious short- and long-term health problems.
Matin et al. (2013) reported detection of such complex hydrocarbons at low levels in
soil and water samples. They prepared PVC/MWCNTs nanocomposites by
incorporating polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with MWCNTs.
Heavy metal pollution is a serious matter of concern because of their toxic nature
and long-term presence in the environment. These heavy metals affect the soil
quality, crop yield, and hydrological cycles. Exposure to heavy metals can lead to
dangerous health issues. The platinum group elements (PGMs) include Pt, Rh, Ir,
Os, Ru and Pd. The use of these elements is increasing rapidly as catalysts, jewellery
materials, drugs for cancer treatment etc. Excess of these elements possess potential
threat to human health and environment. Horst et al. (2015) have developed a
nanosensor for detection of PGMs using DPAdsV electrochemical technique.
They modified a glassy carbon electrode with bimetallic NPs of bismuth-silver,
and used DMG as chelating agent. Pd, Pt and Rh were detected with low detection
limit. The applicability of the nanosensors was also displayed in soil and road side
dust samples.
5.3.3.3 Detection of Water Contaminants
‘Water is life’, this indeed is very true, water is essential for survival. Though earth is
called the blue planet as 71% of earth is covered with water, but out of that only 0.3%
is available for human use. Safe water is necessary for consumption, sanitation,
irrigation, household use and industrial growth. But unfortunately, these very
activities especially the release of industrial effluents, are also direct or indirect
causes for polluting the water sources. Every year millions of people get affected
with water-borne diseases caused by water pollution, and many even lose their lives.
Water pollution not only threatens the human existence but it is dangerous for our
whole ecosystem, including the aquatic life, flora and fauna.
Major water pollutants are discharged from agricultural and industrial activities.
For e.g., mercury is released from chloralkali industries; battery industries discharge
cadmium, mercury and lead; pharmaceutical industries release many toxic and
harmful chemicals like persistent organic compounds (POCs); toxic dyes are used
in tanneries and fabric manufacturing plants, and are ultimately discharged in water
sources; toxic pesticides flow into water bodies from the fields, and so forth. Besides
these contaminants, harmful water-borne pathogens also deteriorate the water quality, and are responsible for causing numerous water-borne diseases. Proper and
122
U. Chakraborty et al.