Nanomaterials for Remediation
of Pesticides
8
Bhupinder Dhir
Abstract
Nanomaterials have been considered as effective agents for remediation of
contaminants present in the environment. Properties of nanoparticles such as
high surface area, high reactivity, and effectiveness have mainly contributed to
their high efficiency. Nanomaterials including carbon, metal oxides, bimetallic
nanoparticles, nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) have shown potential for
treating pesticides including chlorinated organic compounds, organophosphorus
compounds, and volatile organic compounds. The potential of nanomaterials in
removing pesticides from the various components of the environment needs to be
explored for developing large scale technologies.
Keywords
Organochlorine · Organophosphorus · Nanomaterials · Pesticides · Remediation
8.1
Introduction
Pollution is a major environmental problem faced by human race all over the globe.
The chemical compounds that provide effective protection against pests, fungi, and
weeds to plants are referred as pesticides. They are widely used in providing
protection to agricultural field all over the world. Excessive use of agrochemicals
including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides contaminates environment via
their leaching in water and soil. Leaching of chemicals results in addition of their
residues in drinking water, groundwater, and soil. Large quantities of pesticides get
added to various components of the environment because of runoff from agricultural
B. Dhir (*)
School of Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India
# Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
R. Kumar et al. (eds.), New Frontiers of Nanomaterials in Environmental Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9239-3_8
193
of Pesticides
8
Bhupinder Dhir
Abstract
Nanomaterials have been considered as effective agents for remediation of
contaminants present in the environment. Properties of nanoparticles such as
high surface area, high reactivity, and effectiveness have mainly contributed to
their high efficiency. Nanomaterials including carbon, metal oxides, bimetallic
nanoparticles, nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) have shown potential for
treating pesticides including chlorinated organic compounds, organophosphorus
compounds, and volatile organic compounds. The potential of nanomaterials in
removing pesticides from the various components of the environment needs to be
explored for developing large scale technologies.
Keywords
Organochlorine · Organophosphorus · Nanomaterials · Pesticides · Remediation
8.1
Introduction
Pollution is a major environmental problem faced by human race all over the globe.
The chemical compounds that provide effective protection against pests, fungi, and
weeds to plants are referred as pesticides. They are widely used in providing
protection to agricultural field all over the world. Excessive use of agrochemicals
including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides contaminates environment via
their leaching in water and soil. Leaching of chemicals results in addition of their
residues in drinking water, groundwater, and soil. Large quantities of pesticides get
added to various components of the environment because of runoff from agricultural
B. Dhir (*)
School of Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India
# Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
R. Kumar et al. (eds.), New Frontiers of Nanomaterials in Environmental Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-9239-3_8
193