Green Synthesis of AgNPs for Groundwater Remediation: Characterization and Heavy Metal Removal Performance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63623/gg49kq69Keywords:
Groundwater, Heavy metals, Silver nanoparticles, Water purification, NanotechnologyAbstract
This study addresses the issue of toxic heavy metal contamination of groundwater and proposes an innovative and sustainable remediation strategy using green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). While previous studies have demonstrated the potential of AgNPs in water purification, this study is unique in using a plant-mediated synthesis route using Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) and evaluating its effectiveness. This column-based method offers valuable insights into the practical application and scale-up of AgNPs, especially in resource-limited settings. Comprehensive analysis of groundwater samples discovered that although physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and dissolved solids (DS) were within acceptable limits, while turbidity, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) limits. However, these values were reported in the limits prescribed by Pakistan National Environmental Quality Standards (Pak-NEQS). The eco-friendly AgNPs displayed significant removal capacities, especially for Zn, Cd, and As. This performance is due to their large specific surface area and the presence of active functional groups, as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The nanoparticles showed antibacterial qualities in addition to their potent adsorptive activity, which increased their suitability for water purification. This study offers a viable and scalable way to reduce groundwater contamination by combining green nanotechnology with economical, ecologically friendly synthesis techniques. In the context of sustainable water treatment technologies, it is a significant advancement toward bridging the gap between laboratory-scale research and field-scale implementation.
References
[1]Ullah S, Shams DF, Ur Rehman SA, Khattak SA, Noman M, Rukh G, et al. Application of visible light activated thiolated cobalt doped ZnO nanoparticles towards arsenic removal from aqueous systems. Digest Journal of Nanomaterials & Biostructures (DJNB), 2022, 17(2). DOI: 10.15251/DJNB.2022.172.443
[2]Nawab J, Din ZU, Ahmad R, Khan S, Zafar MI, Faisal S, et al. Occurrence, distribution, and pollution indices of potentially toxic elements within the bed sediments of the riverine system in Pakistan. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2021, 28(39), 54986-55002. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14783-9
[3]Megahed H, El Mahallawy N. A comprehensive model for enhancing productivity of a decentralized desalination unit. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2022, 368, 133105. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133105
[4]Xie P, Zahoor F, Iqbal SS, Ullah S, Noman M, Din ZU, et al. Elimination of toxic heavy metals from industrial polluted water by using hydrophytes. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2022, 352, 131358. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131358
[5]Hubeny J, Harnisz M, Korzeniewska E, Buta M, Zieliński W, Rolbiecki D, et al. Industrialization as a source of heavy metals and antibiotics which can enhance the antibiotic resistance in wastewater, sewage sludge and river water. PloS one, 2021, 16(6), e0252691. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252691
[6]Qadri R, Faiq MA. Freshwater pollution: effects on aquatic life and human health. In Fresh water pollution dynamics and remediation, Springer: Singapore, Singapore, 2020, pp. 15-26. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-8277-2_2
[7]Noman M, Haziq MA, Safi BU, Ullah S, Rukh G, Faiq ME, et al. Lead (II) adsorption from aqueous systems using visible light activated cobalt doped zinc oxide nanoparticles. Digest Journal of Nanomaterials & Biostructures (DJNB), 2022, 17(3). DOI: 10.15251/DJNB.2022.173.839
[8]Khan RA, Khan NA, El Morabet R, Alsubih M, Qadir A, Bokhari A, et al. Geospatial distribution and health risk assessment of groundwater contaminated within the industrial areas: an environmental sustainability perspective. Chemosphere, 2022, 303, 134749. DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134749
[9]Scanlon BR, Fakhreddine S, Rateb A, de Graaf I, Famiglietti J, Gleeson T, et al. Global water resources and the role of groundwater in a resilient water future. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 2023, 4(2), 87-101. DOI: 10.1038/s43017-022-00378-6
[10]Ahoulé DG, Lalanne F, Mendret J, Brosillon S, Maïga AH. Arsenic in African waters: A review. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 2015, 226(9), 302. DOI: 10.1007/s11270-015-2558-4
[11]Hussain T, Akhter N, Nadeem R, Rashid U, Noreen S, Anjum S, et al. Biogenic synthesis of date stones biochar-based zirconium oxide nanocomposite for the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution. Applied Nanoscience, 2023, 13(9), 6053-6066. DOI: 10.1007/s13204-022-02599-z
[12]Ghani J, Nawab J, Faiq ME, Ullah S, Alam A, Ahmad I, et al. Multi-geostatistical analyses of the spatial distribution and source apportionment of potentially toxic elements in urban children's park soils in Pakistan: A risk assessment study. Environmental Pollution, 2022, 311, 119961. DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119961
[13]Nawab J, Idress M, Ullah S, Rukh G, Zainab R, Sher H, et al. Occurrence and distribution of heavy metals in mining degraded soil and medicinal plants: A case study of Pb/Zn sulfide terrain Northern Areas, Pakistan. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2023, 110(1), 24. DOI: 10.1007/s00128-022-03673-6
[14]Arroyo-Ortega G, Paz JF, Armendariz IO, Camacho-Montes H, León C, Reyes-Blas H, et al. Photocatalytical degradation of methyl orange (MO) using ZnO nanoparticles from alkaline wasted batteries. The effect of the MO, catalyst, and organic loads. Digest Journal of Nanomaterials & Biostructures (DJNB), 2022, 17(4). DOI: 10.15251/DJNB.2022.174.1241
[15]Mustapha S, Ndamitso MM, Abdulkareem AS, Tijani JO, Shuaib DT, Ajala AO, et al. Application of TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles immobilized on clay in wastewater treatment: A review. Applied Water Science, 2020, 10(1), 49. DOI: 10.1007/s13201-019-1138-y
[16]Bednar AJ, Garbarino JR, Ferrer I, Rutherford DW, Wershaw RL, Ranville JF, et al. Photodegradation of roxarsone in poultry litter leachates. Science of The Total Environment, 2003, 302(1-3), 237-245. DOI: 10.1016/S0048-9697(02)00322-4
[17]Nico PS, Fendorf SE, Lowney YW, Holm SE, Ruby MV. Chemical structure of arsenic and chromium in CCA-treated wood: implications of environmental weathering. Environmental Science & Technology, 2004, 38(19), 5253-5260. DOI: 10.1021/es0351342
[18]Baidya K, Raj A, Mondal L, Bhaduri G, Todani A. Persistent conjunctivitis associated with drinking arsenic-contaminated water. Journal of Ocular Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2006, 22(3), 208-211. DOI: 10.1089/jop.2006.22.208
[19]Arun KB, Madhavan A, Sindhu R, Emmanual S, Binod P, Pugazhendhi A, et al. Probiotics and gut microbiome− Prospects and challenges in remediating heavy metal toxicity. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2021, 420, 126676. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126676
[20]Reddy KJ, McDonald KJ, King H. A novel arsenic removal process for water using cupric oxide nanoparticles. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2013, 397, 96-102. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2013.01.041
[21]Rahman MA, Hasegawa H. Aquatic arsenic: phytoremediation using floating macrophytes. Chemosphere, 2011, 83(5), 633-646. DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.02.045
[22]Abernathy CO, Thomas DJ, Calderon RL. Health effects and risk assessment of arsenic. The Journal of Nutrition, 2003, 133(5), 1536S-1538S. DOI: 10.1093/jn/133.5.1536S
[23]Saha JC, Dikshit AK, Bandyopadhyay M, Saha KC. A review of arsenic poisoning and its effects on human health. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 1999, 29(3), 281-313. DOI: 10.1080/10643389991259227
[24]Ng KS, Ujang Z, Le-Clech P. Arsenic removal technologies for drinking water treatment. Reviews in Environmental Science and Biotechnology, 2004, 3(1), 43-53. DOI: 10.1023/B:RESB.0000040054.28151.84
[25]Garelick H, Jones H, Dybowska A, Valsami-Jones E. Arsenic Pollution Sources. In Reviews of Environmental Contamination Volume 197. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; Springer: New York, USA, 2008; vol 197, 17-60. DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-79284
[26]Ahn JS. Geochemical occurrences of arsenic and fluoride in bedrock groundwater: a case study in Geumsan County, Korea. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 2012, 34(Suppl 1), 43-54. DOI: 10.1007/s10653-011-9411-5
[27]Yoshizuka K, Nishihama S, Sato H. Analytical survey of arsenic in geothermal waters from sites in Kyushu, Japan, and a method for removing arsenic using magnetite. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 2010, 32(4), 297-302. DOI: 10.1007/s10653-010-9300-3
[28]Natasha, Shahid M, Imran M, Khalid S, Murtaza B, Niazi NK, et al. Arsenic environmental contamination status in South Asia. In Arsenic in drinking water and food, Springer: Singapore, Singapore, 2019; pp. 13-39. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-8587-2_2
[29]Hung DQ, Nekrassova O, Compton RG. Analytical methods for inorganic arsenic in water: A review. Talanta, 2004, 64(2), 269-277. DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2004.01.027
[30]Khosravi-Darani K, Rehman Y, Katsoyiannis IA, Kokkinos E, Zouboulis AI. Arsenic exposure via contaminated water and food sources. Water, 2022, 14(12), 1884. DOI: 10.3390/w14121884
[31]Yaqoob AA, Parveen T, Umar K, Mohamad Ibrahim MN. Role of nanomaterials in the treatment of wastewater: A review. Water, 2020, 12(2), 495. DOI: 10.3390/w12020495
[32]Vonnie JM, Rovina K, Mariah AM, Erna KH, Felicia WX, ‘Aqilah MN. Trends in nanotechnology techniques for detecting heavy metals in food and contaminated water: A review. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 2023, 20(7), 8041-8072. DOI: 10.1007/s13762-022-04487-z
[33]Nasrollahzadeh M, Sajjadi M, Iravani S, Varma RS. Green-synthesized nanocatalysts and nanomaterials for water treatment: Current challenges and future perspectives. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2021, 401, 123401. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123401
[34]Shukla S, Khan R, Daverey A. Synthesis and characterization of magnetic nanoparticles, and their applications in wastewater treatment: A review. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 2021, 24, 101924. DOI: 10.1016/j.eti.2021.101924
[35]Sarkar B, Sao S, Ghosh SK. Smart production and photocatalytic ultraviolet (PUV) wastewater treatment effect on a textile supply chain management. International Journal of Production Economics, 2025, 283, 109557. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2025.109557
[36]Mandal BK, Suzuki KT. Arsenic round the world: A review. Talanta, 2002, 58(1), 201-235. DOI: 10.1016/S0039-9140(02)00268-0
[37]Singh R, Ullah S, Rao N, Singh M, Patra I, Darko DA, et al. Synthesis of three‐dimensional reduced‐graphene oxide from graphene oxide. Journal of Nanomaterials, 2022(1), 8731429. DOI: 10.1155/2022/8731429
[38]Ullah S, Noman M, Ali KS, Siddique M, Sahak K, Hashmi SK, et al. Treatment of industrial wastewater (IWW) and reuse through advanced oxidation processes (AOPs): A comprehensive overview. IOSR Journal of Environmental Science Toxicology and Food Technology, 2021, 15(1), 4-14. DOI: 10.9790/2402-1501010414
[39]Qin Q, Zhou Q, He LL, Zhu XD, Feng W, Wang J. Influences of Sn/Cu single doping and CO-doping on the structure and photocatalytic property of anatase/rutile mixed crystal TiO 2 nanomaterials under UV-visible light. Digest Journal of Nanomaterials & Biostructures (DJNB), 2022, 17(1), 65. DOI: 10.15251/DJNB.2022.171.65
[40]Jain K, Patel AS, Pardhi VP, Flora SJ. Nanotechnology in wastewater management: a new paradigm towards wastewater treatment. Molecules, 2021, 26(6), 1797. DOI: 10.3390/molecules26061797
[41]Crini G, Lichtfouse E. Advantages and disadvantages of techniques used for wastewater treatment. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 2019, 17(1), 145-155. DOI: 10.1007/s10311-018-0785-9
[42]Shaukat S, Hassani MA, Yadgari MY, Ullah S, Iqbal MS, Khan F, et al. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and its application towards As (V) removal from aqueous systems. Digest Journal of Nanomaterials & Biostructures (DJNB), 2022, 17(4). DOI: 10.15251/DJNB.2022.174.1385
[43]Guidelines for drinking-water quality (Vol. 1). World health organization. 2004. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/42852/9241546387.pdf (accessed on 23 June, 2025).
[44]Khin MM, Nair AS, Babu VJ, Murugan R, Ramakrishna S. A review on nanomaterials for environmental remediation. Energy & Environmental Science, 2012, 5(8), 8075-8109. DOI: 10.1039/C2EE21818F
[45]Burakov AE, Galunin EV, Burakova IV, Kucherova AE, Agarwal S, Tkachev AG, et al. Adsorption of heavy metals on conventional and nanostructured materials for wastewater treatment purposes: A review. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2018, 148, 702-712. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.11.034
[46]Abuzeid HM, Julien CM, Zhu L, Hashem AM. Green synthesis of nanoparticles and their energy storage, environmental, and biomedical applications. Crystals, 2023, 13(11), 1576. DOI: 10.3390/cryst13111576
[47]Abbas A, Al-Amer AM, Laoui T, Al-Marri MJ, Nasser MS, Khraisheh M, et al. Heavy metal removal from aqueous solution by advanced carbon nanotubes: critical review of adsorption applications. Separation and Purification Technology, 2016, 157, 141-161. DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2015.11.039
[48]Deng R, Huang D, Wan J, Xue W, Wen X, Liu X, et al. Recent advances of biochar materials for typical potentially toxic elements management in aquatic environments: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2020, 255, 119523. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119523
[49]Olivera S, Chaitra K, Venkatesh K, Muralidhara HB, Inamuddin, Asiri AM, et al. Cerium dioxide and composites for the removal of toxic metal ions. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 2018, 16(4), 1233-1246. DOI: 10.1007/s10311-018-0747-2
[50]Labulo AH, David OA, Terna AD. Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles using Morinda lucida leaf extract and evaluation of its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Chemical Papers, 2022, 76(12), 7313-7325. DOI: 10.1007/s11696-022-02392-w
[51]Stozhko N, Tarasov A, Tamoshenko V, Bukharinova M, Khamzina E, Kolotygina V. Green silver nanoparticles: Plant-extract-mediated synthesis, optical and electrochemical properties. Physchem, 2024, 4(4), 402-419. DOI: 10.3390/physchem4040028
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Najmaldin Ezaldin Hassan, Urwa Sabar (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
