Editorial: nano- and micro-contaminants and their effect on the humans and environment

Nano- and ultra-fine materials have a significant influence on construction building materials, the environment, and human health. On the other hand, these natural factors are connected to increased water contamination, the emergence of pollutants in nature, greenhouse gas production, and the toxic effects of fuels, micro/nanoplastics, and chemicals, all of which are of the utmost importance for ecological defense. This special issue (SI) of Sustainability provides an overview of nano- and microscience-based environmental applications and discoveries concerning the following: mineral mining, refining/production, and the disposal of mining wastes; atmosphereic and sea changes; soil health; general contaminant remediation strategies; and the influences on water/soil quality. These processes result in massive pollution generation which has highly significant environmental implications and human health consequences on local, regional, and even global levels. Until recently, very little was known about nano- and microparticle fractions. Recent advancements and sophistications enable us to detect, collect, and study those materials which are roughly 1 nanometer (0.001 microns) up to several tens of nanometers in size. Several contaminating materials are known to behave differently (chemically, electrically, and mechanically), relative to their macroscopic equivalents. This is what makes nano and microscience fascinating and difficult to predict, underscoring the importance of this emerging new field. This contamination incorporates extensive and distant transportation of wastes down rivers and ultimately into seas, such as is the case of mine drainages, as well as petroleum refinery, and other industrial human activities. In terms of human health, in all phases of mining, oil production/refining, use, and waste disposal, the associated pollution can be acquired through oral ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption. There is also currently a gap between what we know so far about the behavior of nano- and microparticles, and what remains to be determined. In addition, eco-friendly and green nanoscience hold abundant promise in terms of meeting large-scale challenges, offering solutions to these problems in the forms of preventive and remedial tools to diminish contaminants in the several ecosystems.

• Autores: Silva Oliveira, Luis Felipe; Niu , Hongya
• Tipo de recurso: Article of investigation
• Fecha de publicación: 2022
• Institución: Corporación Universidad de la Costa
• Repositorio: REDICUC - Repositorio CUC
• Idioma: eng
• OAI Identifier: oai:repositorio.cuc.edu.co:11323/13548
• Acceso en línea: https://hdl.handle.net/11323/13548; https://repositorio.cuc.edu.co/
• Palabra clave: Editorial; Micro-Contaminants; Environment
• Rights: openAccess
• License: Atribución 4.0 Internacional (CC BY 4.0)