Nano-based technologies for environmental soil remediation

Scientific research is currently underway to demonstrate that nanostructured materials can emerge as a highly competent technology for soil remediation. Nanotechnology provides new types of materials that have size ranges from 1 to 100 nm, which implies unique physical and chemical properties. The increase in reactivity associated with their higher surface/volume ratio suggests that these systems can improve the results obtained using a macroscale approach. Among the different types of nanomaterials, nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) is undoubtedly the most widely used, even on a full scale. Other alternatives include metallic oxides, as well as silica nanoparticles or carbon-based nanomaterials, among others. This chapter presents the main groups of nanomaterials applied for the recovery of contaminated soils and sediments, within the framework of the most relevant technologies developed to date, from the most basic research at laboratory level to their development on a real scale.