http://faculty.wwu.edu/~shulld/ESCI%20101/Andrady2011Plastics.pdf

Microplastics in the marine environment

This study describes and validates a new method for metagenomic biomarker discovery by way of class comparison, tests of biological consistency and effect size estimation. This addresses the challenge of finding organisms, genes, or pathways that consistently explain the differences between two or more microbial communities, which is a central problem to the study of metagenomics. We extensively validate our method on several microbiomes and a convenient online interface for the method is provided at http://huttenhower.sph.harvard.edu/lefse/.

Metagenomic biomarker discovery and explanation

The recent advances in nanotechnology and the corresponding increase in the use of nanomaterials in products in every sector of society have resulted in uncertainties regarding environmental impacts. The objectives of this review are to introduce the key aspects pertaining to nanomaterials in the environment and to discuss what is known concerning their fate, behavior, disposition, and toxicity, with a particular focus on those that make up manufactured nanomaterials. This review critiques existing nanomaterial research in freshwater, marine, and soil environments. It illustrates the paucity of existing research and demonstrates the need for additional research. Environmental scientists are encouraged to base this research on existing studies on colloidal behavior and toxicology. The need for standard reference and testing materials as well as methodology for suspension preparation and testing is also discussed.

Nanomaterials in the environment: Behavior, fate, bioavailability, and effects

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) are manufactured worldwide in large quantities for use in a wide range of applications. TiO2 NPs possess different physicochemical properties compared to their fine particle (FP) analogs, which might alter their bioactivity. Most of the literature cited here has focused on the respiratory system, showing the importance of inhalation as the primary route for TiO2 NP exposure in the workplace. TiO2 NPs may translocate to systemic organs from the lung and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) although the rate of translocation appears low. There have also been studies focusing on other potential routes of human exposure. Oral exposure mainly occurs through food products containing TiO2 NP-additives. Most dermal exposure studies, whether in vivo or in vitro, report that TiO2 NPs do not penetrate the stratum corneum (SC). In the field of nanomedicine, intravenous injection can deliver TiO2 nanoparticulate carriers directly into the human body. Upon intravenous exposure, TiO2 NPs can induce pathological lesions of the liver, spleen, kidneys, and brain. We have also shown here that most of these effects may be due to the use of very high doses of TiO2 NPs. There is also an enormous lack of epidemiological data regarding TiO2 NPs in spite of its increased production and use. However, long-term inhalation studies in rats have reported lung tumors. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the toxicology of TiO2 NPs and points out areas where further information is needed.

/pdf/titanium-dioxide-nanoparticles-a-review-of-current-1qh7o5i0ft.pdf

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles: a review of current toxicological data

There is a pressing need for information on the mobility of nanoparticles in the complex aqueous matrices found in realistic environmental conditions. We dispersed three different metal oxide nanoparticles (TiO(2), ZnO and CeO(2)) in samples taken from eight different aqueous media associated with seawater, lagoon, river, and groundwater, and measured their electrophoretic mobility, state of aggregation, and rate of sedimentation. The electrophoretic mobility of the particles in a given aqueous media was dominated by the presence of natural organic matter (NOM) and ionic strength, and independent of pH. NOM adsorbed onto these nanoparticles significantly reduces their aggregation, stabilizing them under many conditions. The transition from reaction to diffusion limited aggregation occurs at an electrophoretic mobility from around -2 to -0.8 microm s(-1) V(-1) cm. These results are key for designing and interpreting nanoparticle ecotoxicity studies in various environmental conditions.

https://web.iitd.ac.in/~arunku/files/CEL795_Y13/Stability%20and%20Aggregation_Keller.pdf

Stability and Aggregation of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Natural Aqueous Matrices

With the emergence of manufactured nanomaterials, it is urgent to carry out researches on their potential environmental impacts and biological effects To better understand the potential ecotoxicological impacts of metal oxide nanoparticles released to aquatic environments, the zebrafish 96-h embryo-larval bioassay was used to assess and compare the developmental toxicities of nanoscale zinc oxide (nZnO), titanium dioxide (nTiO(2)) and alumina (nAl(2)O(3)) aqueous suspensions Toxicological endpoints such as zebrafish embryos or larvae survival, hatching rate and malformation were noted and described within 96 h of exposure Meanwhile, a comparative experiment with their bulk counterparts (ie, ZnO/bulk, TiO(2)/bulk and Al(2)O(3)/bulk) was conducted to understand the effect of particle size on their toxicities The results showed that: (i) both nZnO and ZnO/bulk aqueous suspensions delayed zebrafish embryo and larva development, decreased their survival and hatching rates, and caused tissue damage The 96-h LC(50) of nZnO and ZnO/bulk aqueous suspensions on the zebrafish survival are 1793 mg/L and 1550 mg/L respectively; and the 84-h EC(50) on the zebrafish embryo hatching rate are 2065 mg/L and 2066 mg/L respectively Serious tissue ulceration was found on zebrafish larvae exposed to nZnO and ZnO/bulk aqueous suspensions (ii) In contrast, neither nTiO(2) and TiO(2)/bulk nor nAl(2)O(3) and Al(2)O(3)/bulk showed any toxicity to zebrafish embryos and larvae under the same experimental condition It revealed that the metal oxide nanoparticles with different chemical composition have different zebrafish developmental toxicities (iii) Exposures of nTiO(2), nZnO and nAl(2)O(3) produced toxic effects on zebrafish embryos and larvae, which was not different from the effects caused by exposing to their bulk counterparts This is the first study about the developmental toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles, and the results demonstrate that nZnO is very toxic to zebrafish embryos and larvae, which highlights the need to evaluate the potential eco-toxicity of these manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs)

Comparative toxicity of several metal oxide nanoparticle aqueous suspensions to Zebrafish (Danio rerio) early developmental stage

The rapid growth of nanotechnology is stimulating research on the potential environmental impacts of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs). This paper summarizes a comprehensive study on the 48-h acute toxicity of water suspensions of six MNMs (i.e., ZnO, TiO2, Al2O3, C60, SWCNTs, and MWCNTs) to Daphnia magna, using immobilization and mortality as toxicological endpoints. The results show that the acute toxicities of all MNMs tested are dose dependent. The EC50 values for immobilization ranged from 0.622 mg/L (ZnO NPs) to 114.357 mg/L (Al2O3 NPs), while the LC50 values for mortality ranged from 1.511 mg/L (ZnO NPs) to 162.392 mg/L (Al2O3 NPs). In these tests, TiO2, Al2O3, and carbon-based nanomaterials were more toxic than their bulk counterparts. Moreover, D. magna were found to ingest nanomaterials from the test solutions through feeding behaviors, which indicates that the potential ecotoxicities and environmental health effects of these MNMs cannot be neglected.

Acute toxicities of six manufactured nanomaterial suspensions to Daphnia magna

The present paper summarizes, to our knowledge, the first study regarding the developmental toxicity of stable buckminsterfullerene aggregates suspended in water (nC60) using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a vertebrate model. Zebrafish embryo survival, hatching rate, heartbeat, and pericardial edema were noted and described within 96 h of exposure. Fullerol (a hydroxylated C60 derivative, C60(OH)16-18) at 50 mg/L did not exert toxicity to zebrafish embryos. In contrast, nC60 at 1.5 mg/L delayed zebrafish embryo and larval development, decreased survival and hatching rates, and caused pericardial edema. Toxicity was mitigated by adding an antioxidant (glutathione), which suggests that a free radical-induced mechanism or another form of oxidative stress played a role in developmental toxicity.

Developmental toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos after exposure to manufactured nanomaterials: buckminsterfullerene aggregates (nC60) and fullerol.

The rapid growth of nanotechnology is stimulating research concerning the potential environmental impacts of manufactured nanomaterials. The present study summarizes, to our knowledge, the first examination regarding the potential effects of chronic exposure (32 d) of aquatic organisms (juvenile carp [Carassius auratus]) to sublethal concentrations (0.04-1.0 mg/L) of fullerene aggregates (nC60/aq; i.e., C60 suspended in water after long-term stirring) with average diameters of approximately 349 and/or 1,394 nm. The results demonstrated that the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase were induced significantly in the gills and liver of C. auratus exposed to nC60/aq for 32 d, whereas a nonenzymatic antioxidant, glutathione, decreased in all tested tissues. In addition, lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels decreased in most cases, especially in the gills and brain, but exposure to 1.0 mg/L of nC60/aq led to a significant (p < 0.01) increase in the LPO level in the liver. This increase in LPO level in combination with the observed oxidative stress suggested that the liver might be the target of or most susceptible organ to nC60/ aq exposure. Furthermore, the body weight and total length of juvenile carp exposed to 1.0 mg/L of nC60/aq for 32 d decreased significantly (p < 0.05), indicating that nC60/aq had an inhibitory effect on fish growth. The present findings imply that the oxidative stress induced by long-term exposure could be the main mechanism of the toxicity of nC60/aq to juvenile carp. This important work contributes to a better understanding of the potential health effects of exposure to manufactured nanomaterials on species in aquatic ecosystems.

Lin Zhu

Papers

Comparative toxicity of several metal oxide nanoparticle aqueous suspensions to Zebrafish (Danio rerio) early developmental stage

Acute toxicities of six manufactured nanomaterial suspensions to Daphnia magna

Developmental toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos after exposure to manufactured nanomaterials: buckminsterfullerene aggregates (nC60) and fullerol.

Oxidative stress and growth inhibition in the freshwater fish Carassius auratus induced by chronic exposure to sublethal fullerene aggregates

Individual and joint toxic effects of pentachlorophenol and bisphenol A on the development of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo.