The behavior of nanoparticles released to the soil has been extensively studied in recent years; however, the effects of nanoparticles on the distribution of soil elements and on sowing are still unknown. To this end, to examine the distribution of selected elements in soil, soil samples were treated weekly with 1.0 mg and 20.0 mg of Al2O3 nanoparticles for 3 weeks. Additionally, different types of plants (including taproot, fibrous root and ornamental bulbous plants) were sowed in the soil samples. After each treatment, surface soil samples were collected and digested with acid digestion. The concentrations of selected elements (Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, Cu, Co, Ni) were determined using a microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometer. Al2O3 treatment for 3 weeks, both low and high doses, had no effect on the Al content in soil samples when compared to the controls. Additionally, Al2O3 showed desorption properties on the analyte elements.
Keywords: Al2O3 NPs; MP-AES; Major and trace elements; Soil.