Silver nanoparticles impact the functional role of Gammarus roeseli (Crustacea Amphipoda)

Assessing the effects of silver nanoparticles on the ecophysiology of Gammarus roeseli

Being part of the macrobenthic fauna, gammarids are efficient indicators of contamination of aquatic ecosystems by nanoparticles that are likely to sediment on the bottom. The present study investigates the effects of silver nanoparticles (nAg) on ecophysiological functions in Gammarus roeseli by using a realistic scenario of contamination. Indeed, an experiment was conducted during 72 h, assessing the effects of 5 silver nAg from 10 to 100 nm diluted at concentrations of maximum 5 µg L^-1 in a natural water retrieved from a stream and supplemented with food. The measured endpoints in gammarids were survival, silver concentrations in tissues, consumption of oxygen and ventilation of gills. Additionally, a set of biomarkers of the energetic metabolism was measured. After a 72-h exposure, results showed a concentration-dependent increase of silver levels in G. roeseli that was significant for the smallest nAg size (10 nm). Ecophysiological responses in G. roeseli were affected and the most striking effect was a concentration-dependent increase in oxygen consumption especially for the smallest nAg (10 to 40 nm), whereas ventilation of gills by gammarids was not changed. The potential mechanisms underlying these findings are discussed. Thus, we demonstrated the very low exposure concentration of 0.5 µg L^-1 for the small nAg size led to significant ecophysiological effects reinforcing the need to further investigate subtle effects on nanoparticles on aquatic organisms.

Acute toxicity of nanoplastics on Daphnia and Gammarus neonates: Effects of surface charge, heteroaggregation, and water properties

Despite progress in evaluation of risk assessment, knowledge gaps largely exist understanding the toxicity of nanoplastics in aquatic systems considering nanoplastics surface properties, environmental media characteristics and species ecological traits. In this study, amidine - functionalized polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPLs) of 20, 40, 60 and 100 nm are considered using Geneva lake water and mineral water to investigate the behavior and effects in neonate organisms of the plankton Daphnia magna and the benthos Gammarus fossarum. Key parameters including ζ-potential, z-average diameter, conductivity, polydispersity index, pH, EC50 were investigated. The results showed that the toxicity of PS-NPLs exhibited a dose-response relationship, size- and exposure condition-dependent trend. The smaller size PS-NPLs (20 and 40 nm) induced higher adverse effects than PS-NPLs of 60 and 100 nm in both water conditions and crustacean species. Moreover, PS-NPLs were found more toxic in the mineral water compared to lake water. Principal component analysis evidenced that the surface charge and aggregation behavior are the most influential toxicity of PS-NPLs factor for D. magna and Gammarus fossarum, respectively. These results highlight the relationship between PS-NPLs intrinsic properties, their transformation behavior, water properties and species-specificity in the evaluation of PS-NPLs biological effects on crustacean neonates in natural aquatic environments.

The amphipod Parhyale hawaiensis as a promising model in ecotoxicology

Near-shore marine/estuarine environments play an important role in the functioning of the marine ecosystem and are extremely vulnerable to the presence of chemical pollution. The ability to investigate the effects of pollution is limited by a lack of model organisms for which sufficient ecotoxicological information is available, and this is particularly true for tropical regions. The circumtropical marine amphipod Parhyale hawaiensis has become an important model organism in various disciplines, and here we summarize the scientific literature regarding the emergence of this model within ecotoxicology. P. hawaiensis is easily cultured in the laboratory and standardized ecotoxicity protocols have been developed and refined (e.g., miniaturized), and effects of toxicants on acute toxicity (Cd, Cu, Zn, Ag, ammonia, dyes, pesticides, environmental samples), genotoxicity as comet assay/micronuclei, and gene expression (Ag ion and Ag nanoparticles) and regeneration (pesticides) have been published. Methods for determination of internal concentrations of metals (Cu and Ag) and organic substances (synthetic dye) in hemolymph were successfully developed providing sources for the establishment of toxicokinetics models in aquatic amphipods. Protocols to evaluate reproduction and growth, for testing immune responses and DNA damage in germ cells are under way. The sensitivity of P. hawaiensis, measured as 50% lethal concentration (LC50), is in the same range as other amphipods. The combination of feasibility to culture P. hawaiensis in laboratory, the recent protocols for ecotoxicity evaluation and the rapidly expanding knowledge on its biology make it especially attractive as a model organism and promising tool for risk assessment evaluations in tropical environments.

Importance of exposure route in determining nanosilver impacts on a stream detrital processing chain

The commercial use and spread of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in freshwaters have greatly increased over the last decade. Both AgNPs and ionic silver (Ag⁺) released from nanoparticles are toxic to organisms and compromise ecosystem processes such as leaf litter decomposition. Yet little is known about how AgNPs affect multitrophic systems of interacting species. Furthermore, past work has focused on waterborne exposure with scarce attention given to effects mediated by the consumption of contaminated food. We assessed the importance of direct (via water) and indirect (via diet) AgNP exposure to a processing chain comprising leaf litter, fungi, a shredder (Gammarus pulex) and a collector (Habroleptoides confusa) in microcosms. Direct exposure to contaminated water for 15 days impaired microbial leaf decomposition by ∼50% and leaf-associated fungal biomass by ∼10%. Leaf consumption was reduced by ∼20% but only when G. pulex was exposed to silver via contaminated leaves. There was no effect on FPOM production. Ag ⁺ could impose oxidative stress on the shredders and collectors independent of exposure route, as indicated by increased catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities and decreased superoxide dismutase activity. The activity of a neuronal enzyme (cholinesterase) in collectors, but not shredders, also decreased by almost 50% when the animals were indirectly exposed to AgNP. Our results show that AgNPs and Ag⁺ may disrupt detrital processing chains through direct and indirect exposure routes, even at low concentrations. This highlights the importance of AgNP exposure pathways to interconnected stream biota and ecosystem processes for realistic assessments of risks to freshwater ecosystems.

Stem cells of aquatic invertebrates as an advanced tool for assessing ecotoxicological impacts

Environmental stressors are assessed through methods that quantify their impacts on a wide range of metrics including species density, growth rates, reproduction, behaviour and physiology, as on host-pathogen interactions and immunocompetence. Environmental stress may induce additional sublethal effects, like mutations and epigenetic signatures affecting offspring via germline mediated transgenerational inheritance, shaping phenotypic plasticity, increasing disease susceptibility, tissue pathologies, changes in social behaviour and biological invasions. The growing diversity of pollutants released into aquatic environments requires the development of a reliable, standardised and 3R (replacement, reduction and refinement of animals in research) compliant in vitro toolbox. The tools have to be in line with REACH regulation 1907/2006/EC, aiming to improve strategies for potential ecotoxicological risks assessment and monitoring of chemicals threatening human health and aquatic environments. Aquatic invertebrates' adult stem cells (ASCs) are numerous and can be pluripotent, as illustrated by high regeneration ability documented in many of these taxa. This is of further importance as in many aquatic invertebrate taxa, ASCs are able to differentiate into germ cells. Here we propose that ASCs from key aquatic invertebrates may be harnessed for applicable and standardised new tests in ecotoxicology. As part of this approach, a battery of modern techniques and endpoints are proposed to be tested for their ability to correctly identify environmental stresses posed by emerging contaminants in aquatic environments. Consequently, we briefly describe the current status of the available toxicity testing and biota-based monitoring strategies in aquatic environmental ecotoxicology and highlight some of the associated open issues such as replicability, consistency and reliability in the outcomes, for understanding and assessing the impacts of various chemicals on organisms and on the entire aquatic environment. Following this, we describe the benefits of aquatic invertebrate ASC-based tools for better addressing ecotoxicological questions, along with the current obstacles and possible overhaul approaches.

Sub-chronic effects of AgNPs and AuNPs on Gammarus fossarum (Crustacea Amphipoda): From molecular to behavioural responses

The aim of the present study was the assessment of the sub-chronic effects of silver (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of 40 nm primary size either stabilised with citrate (CIT) or coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the freshwater invertebrate Gammarus fossarum. Silver nitrate (AgNO₃) was used as a positive control in order to study the contribution of silver ions potentially released from AgNPs on the observed effects. A multibiomarker approach was used to assess the long-term effects of AgNPs and AuNPs 40 nm on molecular, cellular, physiological and behavioural responses of G. fossarum. Specimen of G. fossarum were exposed for 15 days to 0.5 and 5 µgL^-1 of CIT and PEG AgNPs and AuNPs 40 nm in the presence of food. A significant uptake of both Ag and Au was observed in exposed animals but was under the toxic threshold leading to mortality of G. fossarum. Silver nanoparticles (CIT-AgNPs and PEG-AgNPs 40 nm) led to an up-regulation of Na⁺K⁺ATPase gene expression. An up-regulation of Catalse and Chitinase gene expressions due to exposure to PEG-AgNPs 40 nm was also observed. Gold nanoparticles (CIT and PEG-AuNPs 40 nm) led to an increase of CuZnSOD gene expression. Furthermore, both AgNPs and AuNPs led to a more developed digestive lysosomal system indicating a general stress response in G. fossarum. Both AgNPs and AuNPs 40 nm significantly affected locomotor activity of G. fossarum while no effects were observed on haemolymphatic ions and ventilation.

The Increase in Temperature Overwhelms Silver Nanoparticle Effects on the Aquatic Invertebrate Limnephilus sp

The effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been largely explored, but there is still a lack of knowledge on their effects under the predicted changes in temperature as a consequence of climate change. The aim of the present study was to determine how leaf consumption by invertebrate shredders is affected by dietary exposure to AgNPs and AgNO₃ and whether changes in temperature alter such effects. Also, responses of antioxidant enzymes were examined. In microcosms, the invertebrate shredder Limnephilus sp. was allowed to feed on alder leaves treated with AgNPs (5, 10, and 25 mg L^-1 ) and AgNO₃ (1 mg L^-1 ) at 10, 16, and 23 °C (6 replicates). After 5 d, the animals were transferred to clean water and allowed to feed on untreated leaves. The higher leaf consumption by the shredder was related to temperature increase and to the contamination of leaves with AgNPs and AgNO₃ . Results from enzymatic activities demonstrated that AgNP contamination via food induce oxidative and neuronal stress in the shredder: the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were positively correlated with total Ag accumulated in the animal body. Moreover, glutathione S-transferase activity was strongly associated with higher temperature (23 °C). Overall results indicated that the effects of toxicants on consumption rates and enzymatic activities are modulated by temperature and suggested that increases in temperature changes the AgNP effects on invertebrate shredder performance. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1429-1437. © 2020 SETAC.

The fate of silver nanoparticles in riverbank filtration systems - The role of biological components and flow velocity

Riverbank filtration is a natural process that may ensure the cleaning of surface water for producing drinking water. For silver nanoparticles (AgNP), physico-chemical interaction with sediment surfaces is one major retention mechanism. However, the effect of flow velocity and the importance of biological retention, such as AgNP attachment to biomass, are not well understood, yet. We investigated AgNP (c = 0.6 mg L^-1) transport at different spatial and temporal scales in pristine and previously pond water-aged sediment columns. Transport of AgNP under near-natural conditions was studied in a long-term riverbank filtration experiment over the course of one month with changing flow scenarios (i.e. transport at 0.7 m d^-1, stagnation, and remobilization at 1.7 m d^-1). To elucidate retention processes, we conducted small-scale lab column experiments at low (0.2 m d^-1) and high (0.7 m d^-1) flow rate using pristine and aged sediments. Overall, AgNP accumulated in the upper centimeters of the sediment both in lab and outdoor experiments. In the lab study, retention of AgNP by attachment to biological components was very effective under high and low flow rate with nearly complete NP accumulation in the upper 2 mm. When organic material was absent, abiotic filtration mechanisms led to NP retention in the upper 5 to 7 cm of the column. In the long-term study, AgNP were transported up to a depth of 25 cm. For the pristine sediment in the lab study and the outdoor experiments only erratic particle breakthrough was detected in a depth of 15 cm. We conclude that physico-chemical interactions of AgNP with sediment surfaces are efficient in retaining AgNP. The presence of organic material provides additional retention sites which increase the filtration capacity of the system. Nevertheless, erratic breakthrough events might transport NP into deeper sediment layers.

Behavioural effects on marine amphipods exposed to silver ions and silver nanoparticles

Behavioural responses to contaminants are an important endpoint in ecotoxicology because they link effects at biochemical or cellular levels to impacts on individual fitness. Due to the increasing use of silver in nanomaterials, studies of its effects on the behaviour of aquatic organisms are important to assess the risks of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) released into the environment. The aim of this work was to evaluate the behavioural effects of silver on the marine amphipod Echinogammarus marinus after exposure to AgNO₃ via water and AgCl or AgNP via food. Swimming activity of the amphipods was tracked during 6 min alternating dark and light conditions. Animals swam slower and responded less to light at higher concentrations of silver in the water. No differences were found in the behaviour of animals exposed via feeding up to 28 days, hence, longer exposure times may be required for the observation of effects. This is the first work to appraise behaviour effects of silver ions and AgNP on marine amphipods. Although the protocol has been successfully developed for this purpose, specimens appeared to habituate to test conditions during the experiments. Therefore, the need for further understanding of baseline behaviours in these model organisms is discussed.

Exposure pathway dependent effects of titanium dioxide and silver nanoparticles on the benthic amphipod Gammarus fossarum

The increasing production of engineered inorganic nanoparticles (EINPs) elevates their release into aquatic ecosystems raising concerns about associated environmental risks. Numerous investigations indicate sediments as the final sink, facilitating the exposure of benthic species to EINPs. Although reports of sub-lethal EINP effects on benthic species are increasing, the importance of exposure pathways (either waterborne or dietary) is poorly understood. This study investigates the influence of two EINPs, namely titanium dioxide (nTiO₂) and silver (nAg), on the benthic model organism Gammarus fossarum specifically addressing the relative relevance of these pathways. For each type of EINP an individual 30-day long bioassay was conducted, applying a two-factorial test design. The factors include the presence or absence of the EINPs (nTiO₂: ∼80 nm, 4 mg/L or nAg: ∼30 nm, 0.125 mg/L; n = 30) in the water phase (waterborne), combined with a preceding 6-day long aging of their diet (black alder leaves) also in presence or absence of the EINPs (dietary). Response variables were mortality, food consumption, feces production and energy assimilation. Additionally, the physiological fitness was examined using lipid content and dry weight of the organisms as measures. Results revealed a significantly reduced energy assimilation (up to ∼30%) in G. fossarum induced by waterborne exposure towards nTiO₂. In contrast, the dietary exposure towards nAg significantly increased the organisms' energy assimilation (up to ∼50%). Hence, exposure pathway dependent effects of EINPs cannot be generalized and remain particle specific resting upon their intrinsic properties affecting their potential to interact with the surrounding environment. As a result of the different properties of the EINPs used in this study, we clearly demonstrated variations in type and direction of observed effects in G. fossarum. The results of the present study are thus supporting current approaches for nano-specific grouping that might enable an enhanced accuracy in predicting EINP effects facilitating their environmental risk assessment.

Higher silver bioavailability after nanoparticle dietary exposure in marine amphipods

On release into surface waters, engineered silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) tend to settle to sediments and, consequently, epibenthic fauna will be exposed to them through diet. We established Ag uptake and accumulation profiles over time in the hemolymph of a marine amphipod fed with a formulated feed containing AgNPs or AgCl. Silver bioavailability was higher in organisms exposed to AgNPs, indicating that the nanoparticles pose a higher risk of toxicity compared to similar concentrations of AgCl. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:806-810. © 2019 SETAC.

Do the pristine physico-chemical properties of silver and gold nanoparticles influence uptake and molecular effects on Gammarus fossarum (Crustacea Amphipoda)?

The specific and unique properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), make them of high interest for different scientific and industrial applications. Their increasing use will inevitably lead to their release in the environment and aquatic ecosystems where they may represent a threat to aquatic organisms. Being a widespread and important component of the aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblage, amphipods and more specifically Gammarus fossarum will certainly be exposed to AgNPs and AuNPs. For these reasons, G. fossarum was selected as model organism for this study. The aim of the present work was the evaluation of the influence of both size (20, 40 and 80 nm) and surface coating (citrate CIT, polyethylene glycol PEG) on the acute toxicity of AgNPs and AuNPs on G. fossarum. We investigated the effects of AgNPs and AuNPs on the uptake by G. fossarum, NP tissue distribution and the expression of stress related genes by the use of ICP-MS, NanoSIMS50, Cytoviva®, and Rt-qPCR, respectively. Ag and Au bioaccumulation revealed a significant surface-coating dependence, with CIT-AgNPs and CIT-AuNPs showing the higher bio-accumulation potential in G. fossarum as compared to PEG-NPs. Opposite to that, no size-dependent effects on the bioaccumulation potential was observed. SIMS imaging and CytoViva® revealed an influence of the type of metal on the tissue distribution after uptake, with AgNPs detected in the cuticle and the gills of G. fossarum, while AuNPs were detected in the gut area. Furthermore, AgNPs were found to up-regulate CuZnSOD gene expression while AuNPs led to its down-regulation. Modulation of SOD may indicate generation of reactive species of oxygen and a possible activation of antioxidant defence in order to prevent and defend the organism from oxidative stress. However, further investigations are still needed to better define the mechanisms underlying the observed AgNPs and AuNPs effects.

Identification of reference genes for RT-qPCR data normalization in Gammarus fossarum (Crustacea Amphipoda)

Gene expression profiling via RT-qPCR is a robust technique increasingly used in ecotoxicology. Determination and validation of optimal reference genes is a requirement for initiating RT-qPCR experiments. To our best knowledge, this study is the first attempt of identifying a set of reference genes for the freshwater crustacean Gammarus fossarum. Six candidate genes (Actin, TUB, UB, SDH, Clathrin and GAPDH) were tested in order to determine the most stable ones in different stress conditions and to increase the robustness of RT-qPCR data. SDH and Clathrin appeared as the most stable ones. A validation was performed using G. fossarum samples exposed for 15 days to AgNO₃, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) 40 nm and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) 40 nm. Effects on HSP90 were evaluated and data normalized using Clathrin and SDH. A down-regulation of HSP90 was observed when G. fossarum were exposed to AuNPs 40 nm whereas no effects were observed when G. fossarum were exposed to AgNPs 40 nm. This study highlights the importance of the preliminary determination of suitable reference genes for RT-qPCR experiments. Additionally, this study allowed, for the first time, the determination of a set of valuable genes that can be used in other RT-qPCR studies using G. fossarum as model organism.

Seasonal sensitivity of Gammarus pulex towards the pyrethroid cypermethrin

The aquatic toxicity of insecticides like the pyrethroids have been discussed intensively over the recent years especially in relation to risk assessment and how seasonality may or may not affect the sensitivity of non-target organisms. To address this issue, the crustacean Gammarus pulex was collected once a month for 16 months and acclimated to 10 °C for four days before being exposed to a 90 min pulse of cypermethrin. In vitro cytochrome P450 activity, total lipid content, total protein content, and dry weight were measured in male and female gammarids from each sampling date and used along with the water temperature as variables for sensitivity prediction by Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression models. The 24 h EC₅₀-values varied more than 30 fold across the sampling period from 0.21 ± 0.05 μg L^-1 (April 2015) to 6.60 ± 3.46 μg L^-1 (October 2015), indicating seasonal variances in the acute sensitivity of G. pulex towards cypermethrin. After 168 h of recovery this difference in EC₅₀-values was reduced to seven-fold. In both male and female gammarids seasonal patterns were observed in the total lipid content and in vitro CYP P450 activity, which peaked in spring and fall, respectively. The current study shows the importance of reporting time of organism collection and experimental execution for risk assessment of pyrethroids as season is important for the acute sensitivity of G. pulex. We suggest prolonged acclimation times of sampled macroinvertebrates to constant laboratory conditions in order to even out possible seasonal differences in sensitivity.

Transport and retention of surfactant- and polymer-stabilized engineered silver nanoparticles in silicate-dominated aquifer material

Packed column experiments were conducted to investigate the transport and blocking behavior of surfactant- and polymer-stabilized engineered silver nanoparticles (Ag-ENPs) in saturated natural aquifer media with varying content of material < 0.063 mm in diameter (silt and clay fraction), background solution chemistry, and flow velocity. Breakthrough curves for Ag-ENPs exhibited blocking behavior that frequently produced a delay in arrival time in comparison to a conservative tracer that was dependent on the physicochemical conditions, and then a rapid increase in the effluent concentration of Ag-ENPs. This breakthrough behavior was accurately described using one or two irreversible retention sites that accounted for Langmuirian blocking on one site. Simulated values for the total retention rate coefficient and the maximum solid phase concentration of Ag-ENPs increased with increasing solution ionic strength, cation valence, clay and silt content, decreasing flow velocity, and for polymer-instead of surfactant-stabilized Ag-ENPs. Increased Ag-ENP retention with ionic strength occurred because of compression of the double layer and lower magnitudes in the zeta potential, whereas lower velocities increased the residence time and decreased the hydrodynamics forces. Enhanced Ag-ENP interactions with cation valence and clay were attributed to the creation of cation bridging in the presence of Ca²⁺. The delay in breakthrough was always more pronounced for polymer-than surfactant-stabilized Ag-ENPs, because of differences in the properties of the stabilizing agents and the magnitude of their zeta-potential was lower. Our results clearly indicate that the long-term transport behavior of Ag-ENPs in natural, silicate dominated aquifer material will be strongly dependent on blocking behavior that changes with the physicochemical conditions and enhanced Ag-ENP transport may occur when retention sites are filled.

Trophic transfer and effects of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in Gammarus fossarum from contaminated periphytic biofilm

This work addressed the trophic transfer and effects of functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from periphytic biofilms to the crustacean Gammarus fossarum. Biofilms were exposed for 48 h to 10 nm positively charged functionalized AuNPs at two concentrations, 4.6 and 46 mg/L, and crustaceans G. fossarum grazed on these for 7 days, with daily biofilm renewal. Gold bioaccumulation in biofilm and crustacean were measured to estimate the trophic transfer ratio of these AuNP, and, for the first time, a transcriptomic approach and transmission electron microscopy observations in the crustacean were made. These two approaches showed cellular damage caused by oxidative stress and, in particular, an impact of these AuNPs on mitochondrial respiration. Modulation of digestive enzyme activity was also observed, suggesting modifications of digestive functions. The damage due to these nanoparticles could then have vital consequences for the organisms during chronic exposure.

Silver nanoparticles in sewage treatment plant effluents: chronic effects and accumulation of silver in the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca

BACKGROUND

Increasing amounts of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) in wastewater can reach the aquatic environment by passing through the sewage treatment plant (STP). NPs can induce ecotoxicological effects due to their specific chemical properties. However, their bioavailability and toxicity are potentially influenced by transformation processes caused by substances present in the STP, e.g., humic acids or sulfides. Due to the lack of a test system allowing to test NPs under realistic environmental conditions, we coupled two existing test systems, the activated sludge simulation test (OECD TG 303A 2001) and the chronic exposure test with the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca (Environment Canada 2013), to gain a test scenario that allows to consider the altered behavior and fate of NPs induced by the STP process. This should improve the environmental realism of the chronic exposure test with Hyalella. In the first study, we tested the STP effluent containing AgNPs. In the second and third study, tap water and control STP effluent were spiked with AgNPs and used as test media.

RESULTS

The chronic exposure studies with the freshwater amphipod H. azteca showed that the investigated AgNPs lose most of their toxicity while passing through the STP. Over all studies with total Ag concentrations ranging from 0.85 to 68.70 µg/L, significant effects of the AgNPs were only observed in the survival of test animals exposed to tap water containing the highest Ag concentration (62.59 µg/L). Accumulation of silver in the body of test animals was clearly dependent on the pretreatment of the AgNPs. Silver ions (Ag+) released from AgNPs are supposed to be the major pathway leading to body burden following exposure to test media containing AgNPs.

CONCLUSION

The coupled test system is suitable for testing substances that can reach the environment via the STP effluent. The investigated AgNPs lose most of their toxicity while passing through the STP. Accumulation of silver in the animals exposed to the different treatments was apparent, whereby silver ions (Ag+) released from AgNPs were supposed to be the major pathway leading to body burden.

Toxic Effects and Molecular Mechanism of Different Types of Silver Nanoparticles to the Aquatic Crustacean Daphnia magna

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been assessed to have a high exposure risk for humans and aquatic organisms. Toxicity varies considerably between different types of AgNPs. This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of AgNPs with different particle sizes (40 and 110 nm) and different surface coatings (sodium citrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone, PVP) on Daphnia magna and their mechanisms of action. The results revealed that the citrate-coated AgNPs were more toxic than PVP-coated AgNPs and that the 40 nm AgNPs were more toxic than the 110 nm AgNPs. Transcriptome analysis further revealed that the toxic effects of AgNPs on D. magna were related to the mechanisms of ion binding and several metabolic pathways, such as the "RNA polymerase" pathway and the "protein digestion and absorption" pathway. Moreover, the principal component analysis (PAC) results found that surface coating was the major factor that determines the toxicities compared to particle size. These results could help us better understand the possible mechanism of AgNP toxicity in aquatic invertebrates at the transcriptome level and establish an important foundation for revealing the broad impacts of nanoparticles on aquatic environments.

Engineered nano particles: Nature, behavior, and effect on the environment

Increased application of engineered nano particles (ENPs) in production of various appliances and consumer items is increasing their presence in the natural environment. Although a wide variety of nano particles (NPs) are ubiquitously dispersed in ecosystems, risk assessment guidelines to describe their ageing, direct exposure, and long-term accumulation characteristics are poorly developed. In this review, we describe what is known about the life cycle of ENPs and their impact on natural systems and examine if there is a cohesive relationship between their transformation processes and bio-accessibility in various food chains. Different environmental stressors influence the fate of these particles in the environment. Composition of solid media, pore size, solution chemistry, mineral composition, presence of natural organic matter, and fluid velocity are some environmental stressors that influence the transformation, transport, and mobility of nano particles. Transformed nano particles can reduce cell viability, growth and morphology, enhance oxidative stress, and damage DNA in living organisms.

Additive effects of temperature and infection with an acanthocephalan parasite on the shredding activity of Gammarus fossarum (Crustacea: Amphipoda): the importance of aggregative behavior

Climate change can have critical impacts on the ecological role of keystone species, leading to subsequent alterations within ecosystems. The consequences of climate change may be best predicted by understanding its interaction with the cumulative effects of other stressors, although this approach is rarely adopted. However, whether this interaction is additive or interactive can hardly be predicted from studies examining a single factor at a time. In particular, biotic interactions are known to induce modifications in the functional role of many species. Here, we explored the effect of temperature on leaf consumption by a keystone freshwater shredder, the amphipod Gammarus fossarum. This species is found at high densities in the wild and relies on aggregation as an antipredator behavior. In addition, gammarids regularly harbor acanthocephalan parasites that are known to induce multiple effects on their hosts, including modifications on their functional role. We thus assessed the cumulative effect of both intraspecific interactions and parasitism. Consumption tests were conducted on gammarids, either naturally infected with Pomphorhynchus tereticollis or uninfected, feeding alone or in groups. Our results show that increased temperatures induced a significant increase in consumption, but only to a certain extent. Interestingly, consumption at the highest temperature depended on amphipod density: Whereas a decrease was observed for single individuals, no such effect on feeding was observed for individuals in groups. In addition, infection by acanthocephalan parasites per se significantly negatively impacted the shredding role of gammarids. Overall, the combined effects of parasitism and temperature appeared to be additive. Thus, future studies focusing on the impact of climate change on the functional role of keystone species may benefit from a multimodal approach under realistic conditions to derive accurate predictions.

Gammarus fossarum (Crustacea, Amphipoda) as a model organism to study the effects of silver nanoparticles

Amphipods are one of the most important components of freshwater ecosystems. Among them, gammarids are the most widespread group in Europe and are often used as bioindicators and model organisms in ecotoxicology. However, their use, especially of Gammarus fossarum for the study of the environmental impact of nanoparticles, has been rather limited so far. G. fossarum was selected to assess effects of well-characterized chemically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs 20nm and 200nm) and "green" laboratory synthetized (from plant leaf extracts) AgNPs (AgNPs 23nm and 27nm). AgNO3 was used as a positive control to compare AgNPs effects and silver ions effects. A multibiomarker approach was used to investigate the sub-lethal effects of AgNPs on physiological and behavioural responses of G. fossarum. Two different experiments were carried out. In a preliminary experiment, two populations of G. fossarum (G.f1 and G.f2) were tested for sensitivity differences and the most sensitive one was exposed, in a final experiment, to sub-lethal concentrations of AgNO3 and the most toxic AgNPs. AgNO3 and AgNPs 23nm led to a significant decrease in survival rates, osmoregulation and locomotor activity. Ag internalisation, performed with Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), showed the presence of silver in gills of G.f2 exposed to AgNPs 23 and 27nm. This study highlighted the influence of method of synthesis on ion release, uptake and toxic effects of AgNPs on G. fossarum. Osmoregulation appeared to be an effective biomarker indicating the physiological health status of G. fossarum. Locomotor activity, which was the most impacted response, reflects the potential effects of released ions from AgNPs 23nm at the population level as locomotion is necessary for foraging, finding mates and escaping from predators. Therefore, we propose G. fossarum as a suitable model for environmental nanotoxicology, providing information both at individual and population levels.