Authors: Surendra Sharma
Abstract: The intersection of nanotechnology and microbiology has unveiled a dynamic frontier where microorganisms and nanomaterials engage in complex interactions that mirror symbiotic relationships in natural systems. These interactions encompass mutualism, commensalism, and even parasitism, influencing ecological balance, biogeochemical cycling, and environmental resilience. This review explores the multifaceted and often synergistic relationships between microorganisms and nanomaterials in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. It discusses microbial influence on the synthesis, transformation, and mobility of nanomaterials, and conversely, how nanomaterials affect microbial metabolism, diversity, and ecological functions. Emphasis is placed on biogenic nanoparticles, microbial nanocomposites, and the role of environmental conditions in shaping nano-microbe symbiosis. These natural and engineered partnerships have significant implications for environmental remediation, nutrient cycling, plant growth promotion, and climate-responsive ecosystem management. The article also highlights the dual-edged role of nanomaterials as both facilitators and stressors for microbial communities, underscoring the need for a nuanced understanding of their ecological interplay to safely harness their potential in environmental applications.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.61137/ijsret.vol.8.issue6.576
