13.03.2026
Contaminated soil can threaten the entire food chain. Scientists at the Czech University of Life Sciences are testing whether iron nanoparticles can “lock in” toxic elements in the soil and prevent their further spread. Results show that this method can be surprisingly effective and economically viable.
Areas where metals have been processed for centuries are polluted with emissions of hazardous elements. Harmful chemicals penetrate water and soil, from where they enter plants, and ultimately can contaminate the entire food chain and groundwater. This so-called industrial burden is a global problem, and many research teams are seeking ways to mitigate its effects and restore affected areas.
Due to financial costs or the extent of the contaminated land, it is often impossible to remove contaminants from the soil or completely excavate the polluted soil. One effective and environmentally friendly method is so-called stabilization, during which pollutants in the soil are immobilized. For this reason, a team led by Michael Komárek at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague has focused on studying substances that can strongly bind contaminants (so-called sorbents). The researchers tested how iron nanoparticles can stabilize these substances.
Why laboratory results are not enough
The researchers combine data from long-term laboratory and field experiments, making their work exceptional. In addition to conventional analytical techniques, they use advanced methods of isotope geochemistry and study surface properties and mechanisms using synchrotron analyses (particle accelerators).
Within the project, they focused on the long-term stabilization potential of iron nanoparticles, even in combination with so-called biochar—a carbon-rich material from biomass that improves soil properties. “Our results showed that particle size is not crucial, and using larger particles can be economically advantageous. We also verified that we are able to develop advanced mechanistic models that can predict adsorption and stabilization of metals and metalloids on these particles,” Michael Komárek describes the key conclusions of the research.
How the research helps in practice
The team also considers the practical applicability of their results. “I am fascinated by the nanoscale world and always surprised by how unpredictable nature is. For example, when you experiment for months in laboratory conditions and achieve specific results, everything turns out differently in the field.”
The project falls within basic research, where understanding and predicting key processes responsible for contaminant capture in soil is essential. Translating this knowledge into applied practice is another necessary step. The method must be both effective and economically interesting. Researchers therefore need not only to understand what happens after applying stabilizing agents to the soil but also to evaluate the economic benefits.
“That is currently probably the biggest challenge. However, for extensive contaminated sites, this method appears promising, because it is often impossible to excavate and remove all contaminated soil (so-called dig-and-dump), and the problem must be addressed in situ,” Michael Komárek outlines the future direction of the research. “We will continue with field experiments. We currently have several European projects submitted focusing on pilot sites, and we hope to continue this work,” he adds.
From geochemistry to ecological landscape restoration
Michael Komárek studied geochemistry at the Faculty of Science at Charles University, and completed his doctoral studies, focusing on phytoremediation methods, at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague. After several years in France and the USA, he now serves as Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences at the Czech University of Life Sciences.
“We cannot ignore the impact of human activity on the environment. Our research, both basic and applied, has a clear potential for the future rehabilitation of soils that are problematic due to contamination or unusable for agricultural production,” Komárek explains his motivation for further research.
“On a number of similar topics, we also collaborate with the private sector, for example with decontamination companies. The first steps involve identifying and describing the fundamental geochemical mechanisms that are key to contaminant stabilization, as well as the influence of plants and microorganisms. Only then can we understand how to adjust sorbents and subsequently apply them in real conditions. It is a very long-term process,” he concludes.
Source:https://vedavyzkum.cz/veda/veda/zelezne-nanocastice-mohou-pomoci-uzdravit-kontaminovane-pudy
