Toxicity evaluation and preparation of CoWO4 nanoparticles towards microalga Dunaliella salina

The increasing use of nanoparticles and their many applications increases the likelihood of their presence in the environment. This possibility of presence necessitates the study of the effect of these substances on aquatic species. In this research, CoWO4 nanoparticles were synthesized by the ultrasonic method. Various conditions in the synthesis process were investigated to obtain the appropriate size of the nanoparticles. After selecting the optimum particles, these nanoparticles were used to investigate their effect on the growth of Dunaliella salina. For this purpose, the algal cells were subjected to three different concentrations of nanoparticles (15, 30, and 60 mg/L). The study results on algae growth parameters showed that these parameters depend on the value of nanoparticles. At 15 and 30 mg/L concentrations of the nanoparticles, numbers of cells, specific growth, biomass, and pigments showed a significant boost compared to the mentioned parameters of the control treatment. Measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) showed that this parameter was directly related to the increase in the concentration of nanoparticles. At 60 mg/L of the nanoparticles, the MDA level was higher than the control and other treatments. This increase reflects the destructive effect of the nanoparticles on algal cells. Finally, the results showed that algae could be useful for studying the environmental effects of nanoparticles and their safety.

A 72-h exposure study with eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and the nanomaterial graphene oxide

Graphene is a 2-dimensional nanomaterial with unique mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical properties. With increasing applications of graphene-family nanomaterials (GFNs) in electronics, biomedicine, and surface coatings, concern for their impacts on aquatic ecosystems is rising. Current information on the toxicity of GFNs, including graphene oxide, is scarce. Filter-feeding bivalves, such as eastern oysters, are good models for nanomaterial exposure studies. We present results from a 72-h static renewal oyster study using 1 and 10 mg/L graphene oxide, which, to our knowledge, is the first report on in vivo effects of graphene oxide exposures in marine bivalves. Water samples were analyzed for graphene oxide concentration and size assessments. Gill and digestive gland tissues were evaluated for lipid peroxidation and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity. In addition, gill sections were fixed for histopathological analyses. Elevated lipid peroxidation was noted in oysters exposed to 10 mg/L graphene oxide. No significant changes in GST activity were observed, but reduced total protein levels were found in digestive gland tissues of exposed oysters at both concentrations. Loss of mucous cells, hemocytic infiltration, and vacuolation were observed in gills of exposed oysters. The results indicate that short-term graphene oxide exposures can induce oxidative stress and epithelial inflammation and adversely affect overall oyster health. Further investigations regarding the fate and sublethal effects of graphene oxide are critical to understanding the risks associated with a rapidly growing graphene consumer market. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:820-830. Published 2019 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.