Green synthesis of ZnO, MgO and SiO(2) nanoparticles and its effect on irrigation water, soil properties, and Origanum majorana productivity

The synthesis of different metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) (e.g., ZnO, MgO and SiO(2)) using green methods is a promising alternative to traditional chemical methods. In this work, ZnO, MgO, and SiO(2) NPs were prepared using lemon peel extract. The synthesized NPs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–Visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. Also, the effects of the green synthesis of different NPs on the irrigation water quality, the availability of some heavy metals in soil and plants, and the productivity of Origanum majorana (marjoram) were studied in detail. The obtained results showed that the addition of the NPs resulted in noticeable variations in the removal percentages of Cu(2+) and Fe(3+) from aqueous solutions. The maximum values obtained for the adsorption of Cu(II) on ZnO, MgO, and SiO(2) NPs within the pH values of 3–5 were 89.9%, 83.3%, and 68.36%, respectively. Meanwhile, the maximum adsorption values of Fe(III) at pH 3.3 were 82%, 80%, and 65% for ZnO, MgO, and SiO(2) NPs, respectively. Clearly, the application of the NPs effectively reduced the available Cu(2+) in the studied soil samples in the following order: Zn2 > Zn1 > Mg2 > Si2 > Mg1 > Si1 > C (control). The highest values of available Cu(2+) were observed in the control treatment, whereas the lowest values were obtained when Zn2 was added. The same tendencies were observed with substantial concentrations of Fe. The addition of NPs to the soil samples positively affected the plants' Cu(2+) uptake. The effects of NPs and the additions of Cu(2+) and Fe(3+) on the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) in the soil system were very completed and osculated from one treatment to another. The same tendencies were observed with the total concentration of NPK in plants.