Advancements in nanotechnology might offer more efficient, safer, and faster solutions for cleaning up oil spills in coastal areas, as detailed in a recent study. This research compiles, assesses, and evaluates approximately 40 to 50 studies on this topic to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of nanotechnology in addressing oil spills along coastlines. Additionally, the researchers propose their own recommendations and point out the gaps in research regarding the application of nanomaterials from the laboratory to real-life situations.
Cleaning up after a significant oil spill is a lengthy and costly endeavor, often resulting in considerable harm to coastal ecosystems. This is particularly critical in the Arctic, where new shipping routes may increase the risk of spills due to heightened maritime activity.
Current oil spill response methods, even in densely populated areas, have several significant drawbacks, such as low oil absorption capabilities, potential harm to marine life, and prolonged clean-up times.
Nonetheless, advancements in nanotechnology provide the promise of techniques that may be more efficient, safe, and rapid compared to traditional methods. This is highlighted in a new study published in Environmental Science: Nano, led by a team of researchers from Concordia University.
“Utilizing nanomaterials for spill response has emerged as a promising and sustainable strategy,” states the lead author Huifang Bi, a PhD candidate in the Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science.
“This paper brings together, evaluates, and analyzes 40 to 50 studies to offer an overarching view of the role of nanotechnology in addressing coastal oil spills. Furthermore, we provide our insights and identify gaps in research concerning the transition of nanomaterials from laboratory studies to practical applications.”
She notes that while nanomaterials are a focus of extensive research for tackling marine oil spills, her specific interest lies in coastal cleanup. Bi estimates that over 90 percent of the studies she reviewed were conducted in labs and not intended for actual field applications.
Promising results require field validation
Nanomaterials possess distinctive properties that can enhance various clean-up strategies, including surface washing agents, dispersants, sorbents, and bioremediation. Each of these methods has benefits and limitations, which can be optimized through the incorporation of nanomaterials.
For example, substituting synthetic surfactants and organic solvents with bio-based nanomaterials has proven effective in removing oil while minimizing the generation of toxic byproducts detrimental to coastal ecosystems.
Nanomaterials can also enhance the effectiveness of dispersants. Clay-based nanomaterials help stabilize oil particles in emulsions, thereby expanding the area for oil-degrading bacteria to thrive, which speeds up the degradation of oil. In the context of sorbents like aerogels or foams, nanomaterials can enhance oil removal from water through absorption, adsorption, or a combination of both, owing to their extensive surface areas and plentiful sorption sites.
Furthermore, these materials can facilitate bioremediation, which employs microorganisms to convert harmful pollutants such as oil into less harmful or non-toxic substances.
“While these laboratory findings are promising, it is important to remain cautious,” cautions Bi, who is a recipient of the 2023 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. “We should emphasize the use of eco-friendly and sustainable nanomaterials to mitigate environmental risks and ensure responsible practices in applying nanotechnology for coastal oil spill response. It is also crucial to conduct larger-scale tests to evaluate their effectiveness in real-world scenarios.”
Chunjiang An, Bi’s thesis supervisor and an associate professor in the same department, emphasizes the timely relevance of nanomaterials as tools for oil spill remediation.
“We are encountering numerous new challenges, with the threat of oil spills now impacting both traditional and emerging regions, including the Arctic,” he remarks. “We must collaborate with government entities and the private sector to make them aware of these technologies and promote their incorporation into future cleanup guidelines.”
Co-authors of the study include Concordia professors Catherine Mulligan and Zhi Chen, Kenneth Lee from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Baiyu Zhang from Memorial University.
This research received support from the Multi-partner Research Initiative of Natural Resources Canada, Fonds de recherche du Québec — Nature et technologies (FRQNT), and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
