Fate assessment of engineered nanoparticles in solids dominated media - Current insights and the way forward

Exposure assessment of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in soil and sediment is severely hampered by a lack of understanding of the underlying processes and of the impact of matrix constituents on the fate of ENPs in natural systems, including porewater properties like pH, ionic strength, and presence of naturally occurring (nano)particles. Additional issues such as lack of proper methods for in-situ assessment of ENP speciation, ENP ageing, and agglomeration state, hinder proper exposure assessment. Let alone that the lack does not allow for development of predictive methods for endpoints like transformation and agglomeration potential. This paper discusses current approaches for fate assessment of ENPs in solids dominated media and addresses the most prominent knowledge gaps and how these may be addressed. It is concluded that the key issue to be dealt with, are the attachment and deposition processes that are characteristic for ENPs as opposed to equilibrium-driven partitioning processes of non-particulate organic and inorganic contaminants.