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Silva PV, Silva ARR, Clark NJ, Vassallo J, Baccaro M, Medvešček N, Grgić M, Ferreira A, Busquets-Fité M, Jurkschat K, Papadiamantis AG, Puntes V, Lynch I, Svendsen C, van den Brink NW, Handy RD, van Gestel CAM, Loureiro S. Toxicokinetics and bioaccumulation of silver sulfide nanoparticles in benthic invertebrates in an indoor stream mesocosm. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 873:162160. [PMID: 36775152 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mesocosms allow the simulation of environmentally relevant conditions and can be used to establish more realistic scenarios of organism exposure to nanoparticles. An indoor mesocosm experiment simulating an aquatic stream ecosystem was conducted to assess the toxicokinetics and bioaccumulation of silver sulfide nanoparticles (Ag2S NPs) and AgNO3 in the freshwater invertebrates Girardia tigrina, Physa acuta and Chironomus riparius, and determine if previous single-species tests can predict bioaccumulation in the mesocosm. Water was daily spiked at 10 μg Ag L-1. Ag concentrations in water and sediment reached values of 13.4 μg Ag L-1 and 0.30 μg Ag g-1 in the Ag2S NP exposure, and 12.8 μg Ag L-1 and 0.20 μg Ag g-1 in the AgNO3. Silver was bioaccumulated by the species from both treatments, but with approximately 1.5, 3 and 11 times higher body Ag concentrations in AgNO3 compared to Ag2S NP exposures in snails, chironomids and planarians, respectively. In the Ag2S NP exposures, the observed uptake was probably of the particulate form. This demonstrates that this more environmentally relevant Ag nanoform may be bioavailable for uptake by benthic organisms. Interspecies interactions likely occurred, namely predation (planarians fed on chironomids and snails), which somehow influenced Ag uptake/bioaccumulation, possibly by altering organisms´ foraging behaviour. Higher Ag uptake rate constants were determined for AgNO3 (0.64, 80.4 and 1.12 Lwater g-1organism day-1) than for Ag2S NPs (0.05, 2.65 and 0.32 Lwater g-1organism day-1) for planarians, snails and chironomids, respectively. Biomagnification under environmentally realistic exposure seemed to be low, although it was likely to occur in the food chain P. acuta to G. tigrina exposed to AgNO3. Single-species tests generally could not reliably predict Ag bioaccumulation in the more complex mesocosm scenario. This study provides methodologies/data to better understand exposure, toxicokinetics and bioaccumulation of Ag in complex systems, reinforcing the need to use mesocosm studies to improve the risk assessment of environmental contaminants, specifically NPs, in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia V Silva
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Ana Rita R Silva
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Nathaniel J Clark
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Joanne Vassallo
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Marta Baccaro
- Department of Toxicology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Neja Medvešček
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Magdalena Grgić
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Abel Ferreira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | | | - Kerstin Jurkschat
- Department of Materials, Oxford University Begbroke Science Park, Begbroke, UK
| | - Anastasios G Papadiamantis
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK; NovaMechanics Ltd., 1065 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Victor Puntes
- Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), CSIC, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain; Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Iseult Lynch
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT Birmingham, UK
| | - Claus Svendsen
- Centre of Ecology and Hydrology (CEH-NERC), Wallingford, UK
| | | | - Richard D Handy
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Cornelis A M van Gestel
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Susana Loureiro
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Silva PV, Santos CSA, Papadiamantis AG, Gonçalves SF, Prodana M, Verweij RA, Lynch I, van Gestel CAM, Loureiro S. Toxicokinetics of silver and silver sulfide nanoparticles in Chironomus riparius under different exposure routes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 865:161087. [PMID: 36566851 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Engineered nanoparticles released into surface water may accumulate in sediments, potentially threatening benthic organisms. This study determined the toxicokinetics in Chironomus riparius of Ag from pristine silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), a simulating aged Ag NP form (Ag2S NPs), and AgNO3 as an ionic control. Chironomid larvae were exposed to these Ag forms through water, sediment, or food. The potential transfer of Ag from larvae to adult midges was also evaluated. Results revealed higher Ag uptake by C. riparius upon exposure to Ag2S NPs, while larvae exposed to pristine Ag NPs and AgNO3 generally presented similar uptake kinetics. Uptake patterns of the different Ag forms were generally similar in the tests with water or sediment exposures, suggesting that uptake from water was the most important route of Ag uptake in both experiments. For the sediment bioaccumulation test, uptake was likely a combination of water uptake and sediment particles ingestion. Ag uptake via food exposure was only significant for Ag2S NPs. Ag transfer to the terrestrial compartment was low. In our environmentally relevant exposure scenario, chironomid larvae accumulated relatively high Ag concentrations and elimination was extremely low in some cases. These results suggest that bioaccumulation of Ag in its nanoparticulate and/or ionic form may occur in the environment, raising concerns regarding chronic exposure and trophic transfer. This is the first study determining the toxicokinetics of NPs in Chironomus, providing important information for understanding chironomid exposure to NPs and their potential interactions in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia V Silva
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Cátia S A Santos
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Anastasios G Papadiamantis
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, Birmingham, UK; NovaMechanics Ltd., 1065 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Sandra F Gonçalves
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Marija Prodana
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Rudo A Verweij
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Iseult Lynch
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, Birmingham, UK
| | - Cornelis A M van Gestel
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Susana Loureiro
- CESAM-Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Sarma H, Narayan M, Peralta-Videa JR, Lam SS. Exploring the significance of nanomaterials and organic amendments - Prospect for phytoremediation of contaminated agroecosystem. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 308:119601. [PMID: 35709913 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Emerging micro-pollutants have rapidly contaminated the agro-ecosystem, posing serious challenges to a sustainable future. The vast majority of them have infiltrated the soil and damaged agricultural fields and crops after being released from industry. These pollutants and their transformed products are also transported in vast quantities which further exacerbate the damage. Sustainable remediation techniques are warranted for such large amounts of contaminants. As aforementioned, many of them have been detected at very high concentrations in soil and water which adversely affect crop physiology by disrupting different metabolic processes. To combat this situation, nanomaterials and other organic amendments assisted phytoremediation ware considered as a viable alternative. It is a potent synergistic activity between the biological system and the supplied organic or nanomaterial material to eliminate emerging contaminants and micropollutants from crop fields. This can be effectively be applied to degraded crop fields and could potentially embody a green technology for sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemen Sarma
- Bioremediation Technology Research Group, Department of Botany, Bodoland University, Rangalikhata, Deborgaon, Kokrajhar(BTR), Assam, 783370, India; Institutional Biotech Hub, Department of Botany, Nanda Nath Saikia College, Titabar, Assam, 785630, India.
| | - Mahesh Narayan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Jose R Peralta-Videa
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Pyrolysis Technology Research Group, Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India
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Rajan R, Huo P, Chandran K, Manickam Dakshinamoorthi B, Yun SI, Liu B. A review on the toxicity of silver nanoparticles against different biosystems. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 292:133397. [PMID: 34954197 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite significant progress made in the past two decades, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have not yet made it to the clinical trials. In addition, they showed both positive and negative effects in their toxicity from unicellular organism to well-developed multi-organ system, for example, rat. Although it is generally accepted that capped (bio)molecules have synergistic bioactivities and diminish the toxicity of metallic Ag core, convincing evidence is completely lacking. Therefore, in this review, we first highlight the recent in vivo toxicity studies of chemically manufactured AgNPs, biologically synthesized AgNPs and reference AgNPs of European Commission. Then, their toxic effects are compared with each other and the overlooked factors leading to the potential conflict of obtained toxicity results are discussed. Finally, suggestions are given to better design and conduct the future toxicity studies and to fast-track the successful clinical translation of AgNPs as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramachandran Rajan
- Laboratory of Functional Molecules and Materials, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, PR China
| | - PeiPei Huo
- Laboratory of Functional Molecules and Materials, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, PR China
| | - Krishnaraj Chandran
- Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea; Department of Agricultural Convergence Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Soon-Il Yun
- Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea; Department of Agricultural Convergence Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea.
| | - Bo Liu
- Laboratory of Functional Molecules and Materials, School of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, 255000, PR China.
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Kuehr S, Windisch H, Schlechtriem C, Leon G, Gasparini G, Gimeno S. Are Fragrance Encapsulates Taken Up by Aquatic and Terrestrial Invertebrate Species? ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:931-943. [PMID: 34473858 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The uptake potential of fragrance encapsulates by aquatic or terrestrial organisms was investigated. Because of their size of <5 mm and their polymeric nature, fragrance encapsulates fall under the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection definition of microplastics. After use, fragrance encapsulates enter the sewer system and reach the sewage treatment plant (STP), where >90% of them are likely to be removed by sorption to the sludge. When the STP-generated sludge is used as fertilizer for agricultural soils, this may lead to potential exposure of terrestrial invertebrates to fragrance encapsulates, especially those feeding on particles of a similar size as the fragrance encapsulates. Two aquatic (Corbicula fluminea [water exposure] and Hyalella azteca [water and dietary exposure]) and one terrestrial invertebrate (Eisenia andrei [soil exposure]) species were exposed to 50 mg/L (or mg/kg) double fluorescence-labeled fragrance encapsulates (diameter 5-50 µm). The results showed that fragrance encapsulates are available to aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates but that species-specific differences regarding the ability to ingest fragrance encapsulates may exist. The benthic grazer H. azteca showed no ingestion of fragrance encapsulates, whereas the capsules were readily ingested and egested by the unselective freshwater filter feeder C. fluminea as well as the terrestrial decomposer E. andrei. No signs of bioaccumulation of fragrance encapsulates were indicated by microscopic assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:931-943. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Kuehr
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany
- Department Chemistry and Biology, "Ecotoxicology" Work Group, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - H Windisch
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - C Schlechtriem
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany
- Department Chemistry and Biology, "Ecotoxicology" Work Group, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
- RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - G Leon
- Corporate R&D Division, Firmenich, Satigny, Switzerland
| | - G Gasparini
- Corporate R&D Division, Firmenich, Satigny, Switzerland
| | - S Gimeno
- Legal and Compliance, Global Registration Services, Firmenich Belgium, Louvain La Neuve, Belgium
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6
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Kuehr S, Esser D, Schlechtriem C. Invertebrate Species for the Bioavailability and Accumulation Assessment of Manufactured Polymer-Based Nano- and Microplastics. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:961-974. [PMID: 35188296 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Bioaccumulation tests with invertebrates have recently been discussed as a suitable alternative to bioaccumulation tests with metal- or metal oxide-based nanoparticles in fish for regulatory assessment. In the present study, as a first step, we investigated the suitability of three invertebrate species for bioaccumulation tests with nano- and microplastics. In a laboratory approach the freshwater bivalve Corbicula fluminea, the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca, and the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber were exposed to fluorescently labeled nano- and microplastics to evaluate their suitability to estimate the bioavailability and bioaccumulation of these test items. No bioaccumulation was observed in H. azteca or P. scaber. In contrast, the measurement of the relative fluorescence of the test items in the soft tissue and the feces of the filter-feeding bivalve allowed us to derive data that may be useful for the regulatory bioaccumulation assessment of manufactured nano- and microplastics. The developed measurement method using fluorescence represents a time-efficient and cost-effective analytical method for manufactured nano- and microplastics in laboratory studies for regulatory assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:961-974. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Kuehr
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany
- Department Chemistry and Biology, "Ecotoxicology" Work Group, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Dana Esser
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Christian Schlechtriem
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Schmallenberg, Germany
- Department Chemistry and Biology, "Ecotoxicology" Work Group, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
- RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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7
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Kusi J, Maier KJ. Evaluation of silver nanoparticle acute and chronic effects on freshwater amphipod (Hyalella azteca). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 242:106016. [PMID: 34788726 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.106016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are known to cause ecotoxic effects, but there are no existing derived ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) for these nanomaterials to protect freshwater aquatic life due to insufficient toxicological data. We exposed Hyalella azteca to silver nitrate, citrate-coated AgNPs (citrate-AgNPs), and polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated AgNPs (PVP-AgNPs) in a 10-day and 28-day water-only static renewal system with clean sand as a substrate for the amphipods and compared their point estimates with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) AWQC for silver. We observed that all treatments decreased the survival, growth, and biomass of H. azteca, and the order of toxicity was AgNO3 > citrate-AgNPs > PVP-AgNPs. The LC50s of AgNO3, citrate-AgNPs, and PVP-AgNPs were 3.0, 9.6, and 296.0 µg total Ag L-1, respectively, for the acute exposure and 2.4, 3.2, and 61.4 µg total Ag L-1, respectively, for the chronic exposure. Acute and chronic EC20s of citrate-AgNPs ranged from 0.5 to 3.5 µg total Ag L-1 while that of PVP-AgNPs ranged from 31.2 to 175 µg total Ag L-1 for growth and biomass. Both Ag+ released from AgNPs and the nanoparticles contributed to the observed toxicity. The dissolution and toxicity of AgNPs were influenced by surface coating agents, particle size, and surface charge. Most point estimates for AgNPs were above AWQC for silver (4.1 µg L-1) and the lowest concentration (0.12 µg/L) at which Ag is expected to cause chronic adverse effects to freshwater aquatic life. Our study demonstrates that the current AWQC for silver, in general, is protective of freshwater aquatic life against AgNPs tested in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Kusi
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS 38941, United States; Department of Environmental Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States.
| | - Kurt J Maier
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS 38941, United States; Department of Environmental Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, United States
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Dodds WK, Guinnip JP, Schechner AE, Pfaff PJ, Smith EB. Fate and toxicity of engineered nanomaterials in the environment: A meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 796:148843. [PMID: 34280635 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The global environment annually receives thousands of tons of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs, particles less than 100 nm diameter). These particles have high active surface area, unique chemical properties, and can enter cells. Humanity uses many ENMs for their biological reactivity (e.g. microbicides), but their environmental effects are complex. We cataloged 2102 experimental results on whole organisms for 22 particle classes (mainly on Ag, Zn, Ti, and Cu) to assess biological responses, effective and lethal concentrations, and bioaccumulation of ENMs. Most responses were negative and varied significantly by particle type, functional group of organism, and type of response. Smaller particles tended to be more toxic. Aquatic organisms responded more negatively than did terrestrial organisms. Animals generally were most sensitive and plants least. Silver ENMs generally had the strongest negative effects. Effective and lethal concentrations generally exceeded modeled environmentally relevant concentrations and organisms usually did not accumulate or biomagnify to concentrations above those in their environment. However, most experiments lasted less than a week and were not field studies. Research to date is probably insufficient to understand chronic effects and long-term biomagnification. Numerous unique and untested ENMs continue to enter environments at accelerating rates, and our analysis indicates potential for negative effects. Our data suggest substantial research is still required to understand the ultimate influence of ENMs as they continue to accumulate in the environment. Around 40% of the papers with experimental data for ENMs failed with respect to reporting means, sample sizes, or experimental error, or they did not have proper experimental design (e.g. lack of true controls). We need more high-quality experiments that are more realistic (field or mesocosm), longer duration, contain a wider range of organisms, and account for complex food web structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter K Dodds
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
| | - James P Guinnip
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Anne E Schechner
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Peter J Pfaff
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
| | - Emma B Smith
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA
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