| dc.description.abstract | Engineered nanoparticles are more and more being released into the environment even though not much is known about how these NPs will behave in the soil environment. CeO2 NPs have a wide range of applications, and therefore have a high likelihood of environmental release. Additionally, salinity is becoming an increasingly more important issue as freshwater supply is dwindling and saline soils are increasing.
The goal of this study was to investigate how CeO2 nanoparticles (NPs), sodium chloride (NaCl), and their interaction impact soil water potential and distribution. Three CeO2 NP concentrations and two NaCl concentrations were chosen to determine the impact and interaction of these two stressors on the soil-water environment by using the Typosoil™ to measure the water retention curve (WRC) and soil shrinkage curve (ShC). These two soil-water characteristics curves can be used to determine the potential and distribution of the soil-water environment.
The results showed there was not enough conclusive data to determine the impact of NaCl and the interaction of NaCl and CeO2 NPs on the soil. However, under no salt conditions, increasing CeO2 NPs concentration increased the potential of the microdomains of the soil, making it more difficult to remove water from this area. Overall, the total water storage didn’t change, but the distribution of water shifted towards the macrodomain. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that the CeO2 nanoparticles do have an effect on soil properties. | en |
