**Abstract**

Pollution is one of the biggest challenges of current times. For control of environmental pollutants, degradation of these contaminants is need of times. Degradation of pollutants can be achieved by various physical and chemical or by physicochemical approaches. Since these methods are in efficient, hence development of biological methods began. Bioremediation is the approach of using bacteria, fungi, plants, algae, etc. to degrade wide range of environmental pollutants. Nano-bioremediation is one of such method which has received lot of attention in past few years. Nano-sized particles have large surface area relative to their volumes and thus have enhanced chemical and biological reactivity. Nano-bioremediation aims at reducing the contaminant concentrations to low risk-based levels and alleviating environmental impacts simultaneously. It brings the benefits to both nanotechnology and bioremediation together to achieve remediation which is more efficient, less time taking and eco-friendly.

**Keywords:** Environmental Pollution, Bioremediation, Biodegradation, Nanoparticles, Nano-bioremediation

#### **1. Introduction**

Problem of Environmental pollution is not limited only to developed countries but the challenges of waste management are also being faced by developing countries which is gradually growing day by day. The situation of effective management of environmental contaminants is grim in developing countries. Automation of most of the industries, establishment of new industries, ineffective disposal mechanisms adopted by these and similar establishments have led the world to face serious problems of municipal solid waste management, air, water and land pollution, various types of dangerous organic and inorganic pollutants that have entered into water, soil, and air by these industrial and urban waste. The developments and technical progress have led to increased harmful effects by accumulated pollutants into the surroundings. The major kinds of pollution, usually classified on the basis of environment, are air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution (**Figure 1**). Modern society is also concerned about specific types of pollutants, such as noise pollution, light pollution, and plastic pollution. Pollution of all kinds has negative effects on the environment, wildlife and impacts human health and well-being.

*Biodegradation Technology of Organic and Inorganic Pollutants*

**Figure 1.** *Major environmental pollution.*

Pollution is causing a lot of harm to human and animal health, plants and trees as well as the wider environment and has been harshly affecting the entire ecosystem and disrupting the marine life in lakes and streams causing depletion of the natural flora and fauna [1, 2].

Air pollution is increasing day by day due to release of smoke and toxic gases from various industries, transportation mediums, and various other human activities such as burning of wood, coal for fuels, etc., natural events such as forest fires. Air pollution is very common in large cities. Air pollutants cause significant damage to human health, vegetation, and cultural heritage [3].

Soil pollution is mainly caused by the disposal of municipal and industrial wastes as well as contaminated slurries from treatment plants at the waste disposal sites. Disposal and dumping of excessive use of single-use plastics, accumulation of chemicals such as pesticides, DDT, fertilizers, industrial use chemicals, raw materials for various manufacturing and production units, human activities such as deforestation, etc. have led to increased land pollution [4].

The problem of water pollution has grown with the increased amount of industries being set up and release of untreated industrial effluent in the water bodies such as ponds, lakes, riverine systems situated in the nearby vicinity of these industries. These industrial discharges include many toxic substances such as chemicals, heavy metals, metals and non-metals, floods runoffs, pesticides, fertilizers and acid rains, etc. [5]. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions such as methane and carbon dioxide continue to drive global warming and pose a great threat to biodiversity and public health [6].

The deposition of increased amount of toxicants and contaminants in our environment, have led to development and evolution of various technologies to reduce these pollutants and make our environment a better place to live. The developed technologies include use of various chemical, physical, physiochemical technologies to degrade environmental pollutants. In the last half decade bioremediation

#### *Nanoparticles: Novel Approach to Mitigate Environmental Pollutants DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99806*

approaches has gained a lot of attention as the other technologies are either not much effective, are cost intensive and also leaves other accumulants into the environment [7].

Remediation of pollutants using nanotechnology based approaches is the recent advancements for the development of more effective, cost effective technologies for mitigating different type's pollutants form all kinds of environments [1]. Nanotechnology products, processes, and applications are expected to contribute significantly to the environment and eliminate protection by saving raw materials, energy and water as well as by reducing greenhouse gases and hazardous wastes (**Figure 2**). By the use of nanomaterials, therefore, promises certain environmental benefits and sustainability effects [1].

The word "nano" meaning "dwarf" in the Greek language refers to dimensions of the orders of magnitude 10−9. Nanotechnology is the field of applied science, focuses on the design, synthesis, characterizations, and application of materials and devices on the nanoscale. It is also known as the study of phenomena and the manipulation of materials in the nanoscale. Nanotechnology can detect the presence of pathogens or toxic agents in air, water and soil are of great importance for human health and protection of the environment by offering equipment that has extremely sensitive and fast measurement with sensor equipment. Nanomaterials are less bulky, easy to operate, and having low cost [5, 8].

In addition to this, nanomaterials help to improve the quality and performance of many consumer products. Therefore, nanotechnology is very useful in solving environmental pollution [8].

**Figure 2.** *Significance of nanoparticles in remediation of environmental pollution.*

Accumulation of harmful air pollutants such as NOx, SOx, CO, etc., is increasing day by day. Nanotechnology is one of the current methods used in the world for controlling air pollutants using nanosensors, nanocatalysts, nanocomposites, nano filters, and nano-biomaterials [9].

Toxic gases in the air can be cleaned with help of nanotechnology but the most important thing is its continued control. Molecular level detection of toxic gases is done with the help of nanosensors such as nanocontact sensors and cantilever sensors. Nano contact sensors have been developed which can detect heavy metal ions and radioactive elements and cantilever sensors have been developed to sense VOCs, heavy metals, and pesticides. Nanocatalyst materials can be used as an environmental catalyst in the purification of automobile exhaust gases and air filtration. It is widely used in purification of water. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have hollow ring structures composed of carbon atoms. CNT is divided into two parts, the first one is single-wall nanotubes and the second is multi-wall nanotubes which can be used to trace pollution and collect information on environmental pollutants [7].

As we know many toxic and non-biodegradable materials such as xenobiotics, heavy metals, leads, inorganic compounds cannot be eliminated by the biological and physicochemical method at environmental standards from wastes [1]. Nanofilters, nano-photocatalyst, and nanoporous catalysts are used for waste management. Nano filters can remove 60–70% of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and 50% of ammonium in the leachate, anions, cations, arsenic, uranium, chromium, and pathogens from the wastewater. Nano-filter technology can be widely used in the separation and purification of gases and pollutant vapors in various industries and preventing their release into the environments. It is used in water treatments in homes, offices, and industries. Nano-photocatalyst is a nanotechnology that can absorb heavy metals from wastewater. Nanoporous catalysts can be used to convert the wastes into ethanol [10]. Another nonporous material, manganese oxide has great adsorption of toxic due to its large surface area and molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) is used for energy-efficient desalination of water which filters five time more than conventional ones. To clean oil spills in the water bodies, a nanofabric paper towel has been developed which are woven from tiny wires of potassium manganese oxide that can absorb oil 20 times its weight [2, 8, 11].

Another use of nanotechnology is in human health and safety. It is used in many cosmetics, dyes, textiles, foods, medicines, medical equipments, and many other materials. Therefore with the help of nanotechnology, we can protect the sustainability of human health and environment. It also helps in waste management and monitoring pollutants. It also helps in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and the discharge of hazardous chemicals in water bodies [2].

Nanoparticles can also harm human health and the environment. Due to the quick absorbance of nanoparticles through the skin, mucous and respiratory tract, causing new and unknown toxins that can threaten human health. Due to the lack of knowledge of the effect of nanomaterials in the environment and human society, we do not have a sufficient defense mechanism against them. Therefore, possible risks and its impact on organisms and environment should be considered [11].

#### **2. Nano-remediation of soil pollution**

#### **2.1 Soil pollution**

After air and water, soil is the third main components of an environment. Soil plays very important role in many activities like in plant growth (the prime activity of soil), gives anchorage to plants, supports many forms of life, provides proper

#### *Nanoparticles: Novel Approach to Mitigate Environmental Pollutants DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99806*

environment to microbes for decaying the dead materials into simpler component which further goes in biological cycle perform by the living organism [4].

Soil pollution can be defined as the reduction in the productivity of soil due to presence of soil pollutants. Soil pollutants reduce the productivity of soil because it shows an adverse effect on the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. Soil pollution occur due to pesticides, carcasses, tins-cans, fertilizers, organic manual, chemicals, bottles, plastics, paper, leather goods, discarded food, clothes and radioactive wastes (**Figure 3**) [12].

Sometimes soil pollution can be the reason of water pollution as well as air pollution, these chemicals leaches into groundwater and reaches to the water stream like lake, pond, sea and also the some volatile compound release harmful gases in the atmosphere respectively [13].
