Carbon Nanotube—Bioaccumulation and Recent Advances in Environmental Monitoring

Abstract

Owing to hydrophobic nature, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are resistant toward microbial degradation and they may be accumulated by soil/sediment dwellers. Bioaccumulated CNTs may enter the food chain and it may be a concern for human health. Laboratory studies have confirmed CNT bioaccumulation by both plants and animals; however, no report is available on CNT bioaccumulation by any organism present in the real CNT contaminated site. Thus, the present review summarizes environmental and other commercial applications of CNTs, their possible release, environmental behavior, and recent developments in environmental monitoring.