Effects of Nanoparticles On the Poplar Tree

The purpose of this experiment is to determine whether or not various iron, cerium and silver nanoparticles have potential for uptake and stimulate transpiration by the poplar tree for means of phytoremediation.   Six various nanoparticles were used including silver, silver nitrate, cerium (IV) oxide, cerium (IV) sulfate, iron (III) oxide, and iron (III) nitrate.  Concentrations of 0.1 mg/L and 1.0 mg/L were used of each nanoparticle and exposed to mature poplar trees for a period of one week.  Tests were then run on the leaves, stems and roots of the tree to determine whether or not the nanoparticles were present as well as if growth increased during the exposure.  If they were present, the abundance was measured for each of those parts of the plant.  It was found that silver nitrate is very toxic to the poplar tree even at the low concentration of 0.1 mg/L where as all other types of nanoparticles inhibited growth in the tree.  All of the nanoparticles were detected within the parts of the tree at various concentrations.