The use and production of nanoparticles in industry is increasing. Therefore also the risk of nanoparticles to be released into the nature is increasing. The main concern at the moment lies at the most used nanoparticles like Carbon Black (tires etc), metal oxides like TiO2, ZnO
(Cosmetics, Sun protectors etc), Fe2O3, Fe3O4 (soil cleaning processes etc), silver based (Ag) particles for antibacterial use in clothes, fullerenes and nanotubes.

Once released into nature nanoparticles can interfere with living organisms potentially leading to cell depth, reduction in metabolism or reduction in reproduction. In all cases this affects the food-web structure of any environment, where soil microorganisms and animals control decomposition processes.