Soil is a valuable natural resource that favors the growth and development of
plants, microbes, and other organisms living in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
At present due to various anthropogenic causes like accelerated urbanization,
industrialization, and ever-increasing population, the soil is becoming heavily
contaminated due to industrial wastes, mining, excess use of agrochemicals like
fertilizers and pesticides, and several other pollutants like toxic heavy metals and poly
aromatic hydrocarbons. Due to these contaminants, plants, and soil microbes face
various types of stresses which adversely affect the growth of plants and
microorganisms. So, the remediation of such valued soil resources is essential to fulfill
the need for food grains and to ensure the food security of growing populations
throughout the world. Nanotechnology is the recent and most advanced technology that
provides efficient, cost-effective, and environment-friendly ways for the remediation of
contaminated soils. Various nanoparticles like zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium oxide (TiO2
),
silver nanoparticles, nZVI (Nano zero-valent iron), silicon oxide (SiO2
), and aluminium
oxide (Al2O3
), etc. are used for remediation purposes of such degraded lands. The
application of nanotechnology-based methods has great potential to restore degraded
land to its optimal forms that are suitable for the growth of plants and microbes. The
use of nanotechnology provides innovative techniques for the remediation of degraded
soil due to their reactivity and versatility. So, the promotion of efficient and sustainable
use of nanomaterials (NMs) can enhance the productivity and fertility of such soils. It
is the necessity of the present time to provide sustainable remediation approaches that
ensure a safe and healthy environment without degrading natural resources.
Keywords: Agrochemicals, Contaminants, Fertility, Microorganism, Nanoparticle, Nanotechnology, Nanomaterials.
