How nanotechnology benefits the biodiversity?

Answer 1

Biodiversity means diversity among living beings, all living beings require 3 basic needs to live: Air, Water and Food. we found nutritional versatility and modes are different, now a days we all know three P means: Population, Pollution and Power are increasing day by day, we have to face so many problems because of them like- Climate Change, Energy scarcity ect.... so here Nanotechnology and its fascinating applications come forward to solve such problems,

1) Nanotechnology solve the Energy Problems

We all know nonrenewable energy sources are limited they will exhausted within few years apart from this their use also lead to pollution in environment which affect biodiversity of earth so here nanotechnology is boon for development or enhancement of new energy sources.

Nanotechnology has made it possible for scientists to develop renewable energy sources that will not harm the environment any further, as they produce energy with low levels of toxic emission while at the same time affordable to many.

1) Consider the possibility of having inexpensive solar power in the near future by using nanostructured solar cells. The use of the latter has made it possible for manufacturers to produce solar panels into flexible rolls using print-like processing that equates to lower costs and easier installations.

2) Currently, researchers are into developing thin-film solar panels that fits into portable computer cases and mobile electronic devices or be woven into flexible nanowires and attached to garments as a means for generating usable energy, either from natural light, from friction or from one's own body heat while on the go.

3) Nano-bioengineering researches and development are also currently aimed at enabling enzymes to convert cellulose, wood chips, cornstalks and organic perennial grasses into ethanol fuel.

4) Moreover, researchers are onto the possibility of converting heat wastes into usable energy power as they are generated by computers, vehicles, homes, factories, power plants and the like. They are generated by computers, vehicles, homes, factories, power plants and the like.

5) Windmill blades are being developed into lightweight nanostructures that are stronger than the ordinary blades with the capacity to increase the amount of electricity generated.

6) Other developments for nanowires are for their utilization in electric grids by adding carbon nanotubes to create lower resistance. This then will result to the reduction of power that is lost while energy is being transmitted to power lines.

Nanotechnology for Waste Water treatment and remediation

Contaminated waste water also affects biodiversity and also ecology of the water system. Because waste water contain so many impurities like Organic Dyes, Harmful Microorganisms, Heavy metals etc.. Clean and pure water is basic need for all purposes like for Drinking, Domestic Uses, Industrial Uses etc.

A strong influence of nanochemistry on waste-water treatment, air purification and energy storage devices is to be expected.

Mechanical or chemical methods can be used for effective filtration techniques. One class of filtration techniques is based on the use of membranes with suitable hole sizes, whereby the liquid is pressed through the membrane.

Nanoporous membranes are suitable for a mechanical filtration with extremely small pores smaller than 10 nm ("nanofiltration") and may be composed of nanotubes. Nano filtration is mainly used for the removal of ions or the separation of different fluids.

Nanoparticles are also harmful to biodiversity

Nanotoxicity

Nanoparticles may be inhaled, ingested or taken in through contact with the skin. The known possible adverse health impacts are summarized in below which includes both natural and anthropogenic nanoparticles. Obviously not all nanoparticles are harmful, but without exhaustive tests especially in the case of

the newly engineered nanoparticles, it is impossible to tell

Magnetic nanoparticles offer an effective and reliable method to remove heavy metal contaminants from waste water by making use of magnetic separation techniques. Using nanoscale particles increases the efficiency to absorb the contaminants and is comparatively inexpensive compared to traditional precipitation and filtration methods.

Nanotechnology for oil recovery to save Ecosystem and Biodiversity

Oil spills from container ships or offshore platforms are a frequent hazard to marine and coastal ecosystems and an expensive one to clean up. BP expects the Gulf of Mexico oil spill in 2010 -- the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history -- to cost it $40 billion.

On it's own, oil is not magnetic, but MIT researchers say that when mixed with water-repellent nanoparticles that contain iron, the oil can be magnetically separated from the water. The nanoparticles can later be removed to enable the re-use of the oil.

Numerous solutions have been proposed for dealing with the problem of oil spills. These include

Ø Use of microorganisms to digest the oil

Ø Mechanical means like skimmers, booms, pumps, mechanical separators etc.

Ø Sorbents to remove oil from water through adsorption and/or absorption and

Ø Use of chemical dispersants like detergents etc.

Conventional techniques are not adequate to solve the problem of massive oil spills. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a potential source of novel solutions to many of the world's outstanding problems.

Although the application of nanotechnology for oil spill cleanup is still in its nascent stage, it offers great promise for the future. In the last couple of years, there has been particularly growing interest worldwide in exploring ways of finding suitable solutions to clean up oil spills through use of nanomaterials.

Given the unique features of nanomaterials, there is a need for the development and implementation of appropriate and fit for purpose scientific approaches. This philosophy is based on the following:

1) The marine environment is likely to be a sink for nanomaterials as it is for most man-made pollutants; it is therefore possible that certain nanomaterials may bio-accumulate and bio-magnify along the marine trophic chain, thus potentially affecting marine biological resources (wild and farmed);

2) Nanomaterials may be transferred to humans through diet by consumption of contaminated seafood products;

3) Nanomaterials may lead to a deterioration in marine environmental quality (coastal areas including natural and recreational interests) with social and economic repercussions.

4) Some nanomaterials can, however, be used to reduce marine pollution, through selected applications, such as for instance through remediation by binding and removing specific contaminants.

Answer 2

Nanotechnology can help monitor and protect biodiversity by developing sensors and devices to detect pollutants and invasive species. It can also improve conservation efforts by creating nanomaterials for controlled release of nutrients or drugs for plants and animals. Additionally, nanotechnology can enhance environmental remediation by designing nanomaterials for efficient removal of contaminants.