Potential adverse effects of engineered nanoparticles on biological wastewater treatment processes

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Nanotechnology presents a new opportunity to create better materials and products with unique physical and chemical properties. Nano-engineered materials have found their way into as many as 700 commercial products, including coatings, computers, clothing, cosmetics, medical devices and intermediate materials for industrial products. With this explosion in nanotechnology, it is inevitable that nanomaterials will be released into domestic and industrial waste streams, which utilize biological treatment processes to sorb and degrade pollutants. Engineered nanoparticles pose a great risk to the dense microbial community found in biological treatment processes because some engineered nanoparticles are designed to exert toxic effects on microorganisms while others may unexpectedly act as toxicants. As a result, these nanoparticles could decrease the effectiveness of contaminant removal in biological treatment processes and cause noncompliance with effluent discharge limits. Today, almost no information is available on the impact of manufactured nanoparticles on biological wastewater treatment processes. The overall goal of this research program is to understand the potential antibacterial effect of engineered nanoparticles on biological wastewater treatment processes, including activated sludge and attached growth processes, with particular emphasis on the effects of Canadian cold climate conditions. Knowledge gained from this research program will provide significant improvements in our ability to assess and delineate the potential implications of nanoparticle remediation, manufacture, disposal and recycling, and help to open new approaches to mitigation and treatment. The potential users of the research results include water and wastewater treatment utilities, governmental agencies, nanotechnology industries and politicians and decision makers.