Chinese scholars have developed nanomaterials that can remove heavy metal pollution

The addition of antibiotics and arsenic to the feed promotes pig growth, but these elements can adversely affect the environment and human health through pig urine. Recently, Wu Zhengyan, a research group of the Institute of Technology and Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei Institute of Material Science, developed a nanocomposite that can remove water or soil pollution caused by “pig emissions” and is easy to recycle. The core journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Environmental Science: Nano, has published the results. Veterinary Drugs

According to reports, in recent years, antibiotics and arsenic have been widely added to pig feed to improve disease resistance and promote pig growth. Studies have shown that the residues of these elements in pigs are only about 10%, within the safe range of consumption. However, about 90% of the other will be discharged into the environment, causing heavy metal pollution to water, soil and vegetation, posing a threat to human health. This problem has become one of the key bottlenecks restricting the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry.

Recently, Wu Zhengyan's research team used amine-functionalized triiron tetroxide and manganese dioxide to prepare a new type of nanocomposite, which can simultaneously remove antibiotics and arsenic in pig urine aqueous solution or soil. The material is easy to recycle after use, has high biosafety and good application prospects, and provides a new idea for dealing with heavy metal pollution in aquaculture.