Metal and metal oxide based nanoremediation: a sustainable alternative

Technology germinated the industrial progress of human civilization, through steam engines. The resultant ubiquitous pollution was often ignored. At present, pollution has emerged as one of the primary challenges of twenty-first century. It threatens the very core of development and eats away the fruits of scientific progress. Not only it has an adverse effect on human health, but also pollutes and damages the other life-forms and ecology. Nanoremediation shows a lot of potential in the management and reduction of pollution, through Nanotechnology by using Nanomaterials. These materials have specific properties and can achieve remediation at a fraction of the traditional costs. There are a variety of Nanomaterials which are now being explored for environmental remediation. This paper reviews the experimental developments in the use of Metal and Metal Oxide based Nanomaterials for the remediation of environmental organic and inorganic contaminants and pesticides, in a variety of host mediums.