Tiny world - big implications ? What aquatic microorganisms tell us about environmental impact of engineered nanoparticle
Event details
| Date | 03.12.2013 |
| Hour | 16:15 › 17:15 |
| Speaker | Prof. Vera Slaveykova, Institut Forel, University of Geneva, CH |
| Location | |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
Abstract:
Advancements in nanotechnology have greatly enhanced material versatility and efficiency by enabling the modification of physical material properties at the nano-level. The great potential of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) lies in their modifiable properties that can be customized to fit specific functional requirements making ENMs promising materials for a broad range of new commercial and industrial applications. At the same time however, these newly engineered material properties also bear the potential for unintended and yet unknown hazards for environmental and human health. The use of ENMs in general and specifically of inorganic nanoparticles (ENPs) in various applications is rapidly growing and their concomitant environmental release is inevitable and therefore bears important societal and environmental implications.
In this presentation we explore the frontiers of our knowledge of this “tiny world” to understand how the metal containing ENPs affect aquatic microorganisms and how in turn microorganisms affect ENP properties and behavior. We highlight the complexity of the behavior of ENPs in the environment and discuss the importance of environmental transformations and trophic linkages for a proper risk assessment of ENMs and for a weighing the “benefits versus risks” of nanotechnologies.
Dr. Vera I Slaveykova is professor of environmental biogeochemistry and ecotoxicology at the University of Geneva and director of Institute F.A. Forel. Her primary research interest are in development of new tools and concepts to study the basic processes governing the behavior of trace elements and nanoparticles, their interactions with various biotic and abiotic constituents of the aquatic systems, that are highly relevant to water quality and environmental risk assessment. She is editor of Environmental Science and Pollution Research journal.
Advancements in nanotechnology have greatly enhanced material versatility and efficiency by enabling the modification of physical material properties at the nano-level. The great potential of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) lies in their modifiable properties that can be customized to fit specific functional requirements making ENMs promising materials for a broad range of new commercial and industrial applications. At the same time however, these newly engineered material properties also bear the potential for unintended and yet unknown hazards for environmental and human health. The use of ENMs in general and specifically of inorganic nanoparticles (ENPs) in various applications is rapidly growing and their concomitant environmental release is inevitable and therefore bears important societal and environmental implications.
In this presentation we explore the frontiers of our knowledge of this “tiny world” to understand how the metal containing ENPs affect aquatic microorganisms and how in turn microorganisms affect ENP properties and behavior. We highlight the complexity of the behavior of ENPs in the environment and discuss the importance of environmental transformations and trophic linkages for a proper risk assessment of ENMs and for a weighing the “benefits versus risks” of nanotechnologies.
Dr. Vera I Slaveykova is professor of environmental biogeochemistry and ecotoxicology at the University of Geneva and director of Institute F.A. Forel. Her primary research interest are in development of new tools and concepts to study the basic processes governing the behavior of trace elements and nanoparticles, their interactions with various biotic and abiotic constituents of the aquatic systems, that are highly relevant to water quality and environmental risk assessment. She is editor of Environmental Science and Pollution Research journal.
Practical information
- General public
- Free
- This event is internal
Organizer
- EESS - IIE