The CEREGE aimed at developping a new approach of the ecotoxicity through the Transformations of nanomaterials in the environment in relation with their chemical reactivity, bioavailability, toxicity, persistence and concentration in the environment. Nanomaterials and other chemical species they interact with. We study the fundamental interactions of nanoparticles and adsorbents as H2O, H+, metals and organic macromolecules such as natural organic matter, proteins, surfactants and polyelectrolytes, especially the affinity of surface of nanomaterials for these adsorbates and the consequences in term of stability (aggregation vs dispersion), oxidation or reduction, hydrophilicity...
Many techniques are used as X-ray Absorption Spectroscopies, XRF, TEM, NMR through synchrotron facility or University facicilty or neutron scattering (LLB and ILL). The CEREGE is engaged in a ANR Programme (Nanosurf 2008-2010) aimed at evaluating the surface energy and speciation change when the nanomaterials size tends to true nm dimension.
The CEREGE is engaged in a ANR programme (Aquanano 2008-2010) which aimed to evaluate the transport through porous media (e.g., soils, sediments, and groundwater aquifers) through the interactions with aquifers (mineral materials, organics, biofilms...).
The affinty for biological systems is studied through the toxicity of nano-oxides or fullerenes for biological materials as bacteria (E Coli), dapnies or zebra fish (coopering with other laboratories in France as LBME at Marseille, CEMAGREF at Lyon or LIEBE at Metz). The CEREGE studies the bio transformation of the nanomaterials adsorbed on or absorbed by the organisms. These biotransformation : ROS production through electron transfer (reduction of nano-oxides, formation of C-OH on n-C60 surface... dissolultion and neoformation of Fe ox-hydroxides through redox reactions), affect considerably the biological organisms particularly in terms of genotoxicity. The methods used are associated with Synchrotron facilities (EXAFS, XANES, µ XRF, STMX...).