Natural and Engineered Nanoparticles in the Environment: A presentation of current activities of the AK Aquatic Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

For more than two decades aquatic chemistry is constantly gaining knowledge about nanoscale processes in the environment. While in early years the co-transport of contaminants in the saturated zone of aquifers has been in the focus of aquatic nanosciences and nanogeosciences, nowadays the research activities have broadened and span across several disciplines. In the course of R & D activities on nanomaterials the question of the behavior, fate and useful or adverse effects of nanoparticles in the environment arose and has boosted the activities quite substantially. The working group Aquatic Nanosciences and Nanotechnology has responded to the current development by inviting European scientists from different fields to contribute their expertise into the group’s discussions and activities while still keeping the core expertise on characterization techniques inherited from the former working group “Colloids”. In 2007 the working group organized an international workshop which was held in Vienna during the 10th and 11th December. The aim of the event was to offer a platform for bridging the different disciplines and exchange the current knowledge in the fields. Scientists from aquatic and environmental chemistry, nanogeosciences, nano-engineering, eco-toxicology and risk assessment presented their contributions to the current state of the art. The overall conclusions drawn from 29 presentations are given.