Professor Yoon-Seok Chang  (ESE) and Dr. Eun-Ju Kim (ESE) formed a team to investigate whether Fe-based bimetallic nanoparticles used for purifying polluted soil or groundwater can hinder the growth of microorganisms and harm the environment. Their research made the cover of Environmental Science: Nano.
Recently, because of numerous reclamations and livestock culls due to foot-and-mouth diseases and algal viruses, soil and groundwater pollution has become an issue. Engineering-nanoparticle is used commonly to purify pollution. Nevertheless, research on whether this nanoparticle is harmful or not is insufficient
Prof. Chang explained this research shows nanomaterial’s substantive environmental risk and contributes to proof of the need to mass-produce low-toxic engineering-nanoparticles, harmless to environment.
This research was conducted as part of a Geo-Advanced Innovative Action Project, which is overseen by the Ministry of Environment and National Research Foundation of Korea.