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Ekner-Grzyb A, Jurga N, Venâncio C, Grzyb T, Grześkowiak BF, Lopes I. Ecotoxicity of non- and PEG-modified lanthanide-doped nanoparticles in aquatic organisms. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 259:106548. [PMID: 37130483 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Various types of nanoparticles (NPs) have been widely investigated recently and applied in areas such as industry, the energy sector, and medicine, presenting the risk of their release into the environment. The ecotoxicity of NPs depends on several factors such as their shape and surface chemistry. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is one of the most often used compounds for functionalisation of NP surfaces, and its presence on the surfaces of NPs may affect their ecotoxicity. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the influence of PEG modification on the toxicity of NPs. As biological model, we chose freshwater microalgae, a macrophyte and invertebrates, which to a considerable extent enable the assessment of the harmfulness of NPs to freshwater biota. SrF2:Yb3+,Er3+ NPs were used to represent the broad group of up-converting NPs, which have been intensively investigated for medical applications. We quantified the effects of the NPs on five freshwater species representing three trophic levels: the green microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata and Chlorella vulgaris, the macrophyte Lemna minor, the cladoceran Daphnia magna and the cnidarian Hydra viridissima. Overall, H. viridissima was the most sensitive species to NPs, which affected its survival and feeding rate. In this case, PEG-modified NPs were slightly more toxic than bare ones (non-significant results). No effects were observed on the other species exposed to the two NPs at the tested concentrations. The tested NPs were successfully imaged in the body of D. magna using confocal microscopy; both NPs were detected in the D. magna gut. The results obtained reveal that SrF2:Yb3+,Er3+ NPs can be toxic to some aquatic species; however, the structures have low toxicity effects for most of the tested species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ekner-Grzyb
- Department of Plant Ecophysiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Natalia Jurga
- Department of Rare Earths, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Cátia Venâncio
- CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Tomasz Grzyb
- Department of Rare Earths, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | | | - Isabel Lopes
- CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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Estrada AC, Daniel-da-Silva AL, Leal C, Monteiro C, Lopes CB, Nogueira HIS, Lopes I, Martins MJ, Martins NCT, Gonçalves NPF, Fateixa S, Trindade T. Colloidal nanomaterials for water quality improvement and monitoring. Front Chem 2022; 10:1011186. [PMID: 36238095 PMCID: PMC9551176 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.1011186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Water is the most important resource for all kind forms of live. It is a vital resource distributed unequally across different regions of the globe, with populations already living with water scarcity, a situation that is spreading due to the impact of climate change. The reversal of this tendency and the mitigation of its disastrous consequences is a global challenge posed to Humanity, with the scientific community assuming a major obligation for providing solutions based on scientific knowledge. This article reviews literature concerning the development of nanomaterials for water purification technologies, including collaborative scientific research carried out in our laboratory (nanoLAB@UA) framed by the general activities carried out at the CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials. Our research carried out in this specific context has been mainly focused on the synthesis and surface chemical modification of nanomaterials, typically of a colloidal nature, as well as on the evaluation of the relevant properties that arise from the envisaged applications of the materials. As such, the research reviewed here has been guided along three thematic lines: 1) magnetic nanosorbents for water treatment technologies, namely by using biocomposites and graphite-like nanoplatelets; 2) nanocomposites for photocatalysis (e.g., TiO2/Fe3O4 and POM supported graphene oxide photocatalysts; photoactive membranes) and 3) nanostructured substrates for contaminant detection using surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), namely polymers loaded with Ag/Au colloids and magneto-plasmonic nanostructures. This research is motivated by the firm believe that these nanomaterials have potential for contributing to the solution of environmental problems and, conversely, will not be part of the problem. Therefore, assessment of the impact of nanoengineered materials on eco-systems is important and research in this area has also been developed by collaborative projects involving experts in nanotoxicity. The above topics are reviewed here by presenting a brief conceptual framework together with illustrative case studies, in some cases with original research results, mainly focusing on the chemistry of the nanomaterials investigated for target applications. Finally, near-future developments in this research area are put in perspective, forecasting realistic solutions for the application of colloidal nanoparticles in water cleaning technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C. Estrada
- Department of Chemistry and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana L. Daniel-da-Silva
- Department of Chemistry and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Cátia Leal
- Department of Chemistry and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Cátia Monteiro
- Department of Biology and CESAM-Centre of Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Cláudia B. Lopes
- Department of Chemistry and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Helena I. S. Nogueira
- Department of Chemistry and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Lopes
- Department of Biology and CESAM-Centre of Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Maria J. Martins
- Department of Chemistry and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Natércia C. T. Martins
- Department of Chemistry and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Nuno P. F. Gonçalves
- Department of Chemistry and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sara Fateixa
- Department of Chemistry and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Tito Trindade
- Department of Chemistry and CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Tito Trindade,
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Ekner-Grzyb A, Chmielowska-Bąk J, Szczeszak A. Influence of GdVO 4:Eu 3+ Nanocrystals on Growth, Germination, Root Cell Viability and Oxidative Stress of Wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) Seedlings. PLANTS 2021; 10:plants10061187. [PMID: 34200921 PMCID: PMC8230434 DOI: 10.3390/plants10061187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The increasing application of lanthanide-doped nanocrystals (LDNCs) entails the risk of a harmful impact on the natural environment. Therefore, in the presented study the influence of gadolinium orthovanadates doped with Eu3+ (GdVO4:Eu3) nanocrystals on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), chosen as a model plant species, was investigated. The seeds were grown in Petri dishes filled with colloids of LDNCs at the concentrations of 0, 10, 50 and 100 µg/mL. The plants’ growth endpoints (number of roots, roots length, roots mass, hypocotyl length and hypocotyl mass) and germination rate were not significantly changed after the exposure to GdVO4:Eu3+ nanocrystals at all used concentrations. The presence of LDNCs also had no effect on oxidative stress intensity, which was determined on the basis of the amount of lipid peroxidation product (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; TBARS) in the roots. Similarly, TTC (tetrazolium chloride) assay did not show any differences in cells’ viability. However, root cells of the treated seedlings contained less Evans Blue (EB) when compared to the control. The obtained results, on the one hand, suggest that GdVO4:Eu3+ nanocrystals are safe for plants in the tested concentrations, while on the other hand they indicate that LDNCs may interfere with the functioning of the root cell membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ekner-Grzyb
- Department of Plant Ecophysiology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-61-829-5811
| | - Jagna Chmielowska-Bąk
- Department of Plant Ecophysiology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Agata Szczeszak
- Department of Rare Earths, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614 Poznań, Poland;
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Nogueira PFM, Marangoni VS, Zucolotto V. The aspect ratio of gold nanorods as a cytotoxicity factor on Raphidocelis subcaptata. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 191:110133. [PMID: 32871150 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Gold nanorods (AuNRs) are promising nanoscale materials for several technological and biomedical applications. The physicochemical properties of AuNRs, including size, shape and surface features, are crucial factors affecting their cytotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the effects of different aspect ratios of AuNRs (1.90, 2.35, 3.25 and 3.50) at concentrations of 2 and 10 μg mL-1 on their cytotoxicity and cellular uptake in green algae Raphidocelis subcaptata. The experiment was performed in oligotrophic freshwater medium in a growth chamber with constant agitation of 80 rpm under controlled conditions (120 μEm-2s-1 illumination; 12:12h light dark cycle and constant temperature of 22 ± 2 °C). The algal growth was monitored daily for 96 h via electronic absorbance scanning at 600-750 nm. Oxidative stress, cell viability and autofluorescence were evaluated using a flow cytometer. Oxidative stress quantified by loading cultures with the fluorescent dye 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate. To assess algal cell viability, propidium iodide was selected as the fluorescent probe. Our results indicated that the aspect ratio of AuNRs mediates their biological effects in green algae R. subcaptata. A positive correlation between oxidative stress and increase of aspect ratio was found at concentration of 10 μg mL-1. Higher cytotoxicity and mortality were observed for algae incubated with higher aspect ratios AuNRs (3.50). These findings may be useful to understand the impact of the AuNRs in aquatic environments, contributing to ecosystem management and nanomaterials regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Franklin Mayrink Nogueira
- Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group, Institute of Physics of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, P.O. Box 369, Av. Trabalhador São-Carlense, 400, 13566-590, São Carlos, S.P., Brazil
| | - Valeria Spolon Marangoni
- Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group, Institute of Physics of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, P.O. Box 369, Av. Trabalhador São-Carlense, 400, 13566-590, São Carlos, S.P., Brazil
| | - Valtencir Zucolotto
- Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group, Institute of Physics of São Carlos, University of São Paulo, P.O. Box 369, Av. Trabalhador São-Carlense, 400, 13566-590, São Carlos, S.P., Brazil.
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Boros BV, Ostafe V. Evaluation of Ecotoxicology Assessment Methods of Nanomaterials and Their Effects. NANOMATERIALS 2020; 10:nano10040610. [PMID: 32224954 PMCID: PMC7221575 DOI: 10.3390/nano10040610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes the ecotoxicological effects of nanomaterials (NMs) as well as their testing methods. Standard ecotoxicity testing methods are applicable to nanomaterials as well but require some adaptation. We have taken into account methods that meet several conditions. They must be properly researched by a minimum of ten scientific articles where adaptation of the method to the NMs is also presented; use organisms suitable for simple and rapid ecotoxicity testing (SSRET); have a test period shorter than 30 days; require no special equipment; have low costs and have the possibility of optimization for high-throughput screening. From the standard assays described in guidelines developed by organizations such as Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and United States Environmental Protection Agency, which meet the required conditions, we selected as methods adaptable for NMs, some methods based on algae, duckweed, amphipods, daphnids, chironomids, terrestrial plants, nematodes and earthworms. By analyzing the effects of NMs on a wide range of organisms, it has been observed that these effects can be of several categories, such as behavioral, morphological, cellular, molecular or genetic effects. By comparing the EC50 values of some NMs it has been observed that such values are available mainly for aquatic ecotoxicity, with the most sensitive test being the algae assay. The most toxic NMs overall were the silver NMs.
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