Wednesday, November 7, 2007 - 2:30 PM
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Nanoparticle Impacts on Soil Microbiological Functions.

Ronald Turco1, Marianne Bischoff2, Zhonghua Tong, Larry Nies3, Bruce Applegate4, and Leila Nyberg3. (1) 915 West State Street, Purdue University-Agronomy Dept., Purdue University, Agronomy Department, West Lafayette, IN 47907, (2) Agronomy Department, Purdue University, 915 W. State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, (3) School of Civil Engineering – Ecological Engineering Science Group, Purdue University, CIVL Engineering, West Lafayette, IN 47907, (4) Food Science Department, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907

The nascent state of the nano-product industry calls for important early assessment of environmental impacts before significant releases have occurred.  Clearly, the impact of manufactured nanomaterials on key soil processes must be addressed so that an unbiased discussion concerning the environmental consequences of nanotechnology can take place. In this presentation we will discuss results from a number of early studies concerned with the impact of manufactured nanoparticles on soil microbiology and key biological processes as well as the effects of nanoparticles on sludge microbiology.