M Nieves Pina Capo

University of Balearic Islands (UIB), Spain

Title: Magnetic nanofibers for elimination and biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from seawater

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Biography

M Nieves Piña endeavours to apply her expertise in the field of supramolecular chemistry to the generation of new hybrid nanomaterials capable of capturing environmental and labour pollutants. The aim of her studies is to obtain environmentally friendly materials, recyclable and reusable, applicable to the generation of filters as well as active and passive sensors. In order to obtain real data on the capture capacity of the new nanomaterials, she collaborates with IDAEA (Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, CSIC), which records environmental indicators, and with the Grup de Recerca en Salut Laboral (GRSL, UIB, Research

on Professional Health Group) that measures working environment indicators in the tasks of treatment and repair of boat surfaces, one of the most important industries in the economy of the Balearic Islands.

Abstract

Supramolecular aggregates formed between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and either naphthalene- or perylene-derived diimides have been anchored in magnetite magnetic nanoparticles. The high affinity and stability of these aggregates allow them to capture and confine these extremely carcinogenic pollutants in a reduced space. In some cases, the high cohesion of these aggregates leads to the formation of magnetic nanofibers of several microns in length (500 ?m), most likely due to the ?-? interactions established between PAHs and the electron-deficient surface of the diimides anchored to FeNP, which can be isolated from solution by the direct action of a magnet. In this work, a practical application of bioremediation aimed at the environmental

decontamination of naphthalene is presented. It is based on the direct action of a bacterium of the lineage Roseobacter (biocompatible with nanoreceptors and very widespread in marine environments). The members of the Roseobacter lineage (Rhodobacteracea family, alphaproteobacteria class) are predominant in the marine ecosystems, where they are ubiquitous, and they represent more than 20% of coastal plankton and 3–5% in surface ocean waters being especially abundant in coastal areas polluted by hydrocarbons. The analyses of their genomes have revealed the presence in Roseobacters of a great biodegradation potential, mainly for monoaromatic hydrocarbons. It has been demonstrated that the formation of the supramolecular aggregates with naphthalene, the most abundant PAH pollutant in the environment, promotes bioavailability and accelerates its degradation. These results allow us to propose, as a strategy for the removal and biodegradation of PAHs from polluted aqueous media, the combined use of FeNP-diimides-DA together with a marine microorganism, such as S.

aestuarii 357, belonging to the bacterial lineage of Roseobacter, as a sustainable measure of environmental decontamination, based on the capture, removal, and biodegradation of toxic pollutants.