Separation and Analysis of Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron from Soil

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) has become one of the most used engineered nanoparticles for soil remediation. However, isolating nZVI particles from a complex soil matrix for their accurate particle characterizations and transport distance measurements is still challenging. Here, this study established a new analysis approach combining ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction, magnetic separation, and single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) analysis to isolate nZVI particles from soils and quantify their concentration and size. The interference from natural Fe-containing substances on nZVI analysis could be efficiently minimized by magnetic separation and dilution. After the optimization of extraction solvent type/concentration (i.e., 2.5 mM tetrasodium pyrophosphate) and ultrasonication time (i.e., 30 min), acceptable recoveries in both particle number (62.0 ± 10.8%-96.1 ± 4.8%) and Fe mass (70.6 ± 12.0%-119 ± 18%) could be achieved for different sizes (50 and 100 nm) and concentrations (50, 100, and 500 μg g^-1) of spiked nZVI from six soils. The detection limits of particle size and concentration were approximately 43.1 nm and 50 μg nZVI per gram soil, respectively. These results provide a feasible approach to quantify the nZVI concentration and size in complex soil matrices, which will allow the improvements to characterize and track the nZVI particles in the field, promote the use of nZVI particles for soil remediation, and better assess their environmental implications.