Output details
15 - General Engineering
University of Oxford
The impact of nano-scale iron on river water microbial communities.
The focus of this study was to address scientific and public concern that, although there is agreement that nanotechnology has enormous potential in terms of remediation of contaminated sites, little was known of the potential risks. Findings reported in this study, and highlighted in the DEFRA Report (CBO440), confirmed that, although nano-iron oxide impacted on exposed microbial communities in term of reduced biomass and species composition, this was short-lived, with full recovery to normal base levels within two days. These findings were highlighted by DEFRA as being influential in its decision to establish further field trails.