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Natural acids in soil could protect rice from toxic nanoparticles

Lab experiments may overestimate some environmental impacts, study suggests

a field of rice

DOSE OF DIRT  Common soil components may render toxic nanoparticles harmless to rice plants.

Madeleine Deaton/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

By Beth Mole

- More than 2 years ago

A dose of dirt could defend rice plants from the damaging effects of toxic nanoparticles.

Acids naturally found in the organic matter of soil, collectively called humic acid, can protect rice seedlings from the cell damage and stunted root growth caused by copper oxide nanoparticles, researchers report April 13 in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.