Effects of nano carbon black and single-layer graphene oxide on settlement,survival and swimming behaviour of Amphibalanus amphitrite larvae

The effects of two carbon-based nanomaterials, nano-sized carbon black (nCB), and single-layer graphene oxide (GO) on settlement of Amphibalanus amphitrite (Cirripedia, Crustacea) cypris larvae (cyprids) were assessed after 24, 48, and 72 h of exposure. Additionally, the effects of these nanomaterials on the mortality and swimming behaviour of the nauplius larvae (nauplii) of the same organism were determined after 24 and 48 h. The data indicate that nCB is more effective as a potential antisettlement agent than single-layer GO; moreover, nCB did not show any adverse effects on the larvae. The swimming behaviour of II stage nauplii of A. amphitrite exposed to a suspension of nCB was inhibited only at very high nCB concentrations (≥0.5 mg/mL). Single-layer GO, on the contrary, showed lower antisettlement effects and was more active in altering the survival and inhibiting the swimming behaviour of the nauplii. An indication of the toxic or non-toxic mechanisms of the antisettlement properties of both of these nanomaterials is provided by the reversibility of the antisettlement activity. In conclusion, we propose nCB as an innovative antifouling nanomaterial that shows low toxicity towards the model organism (crustaceans) used in this study.     

Nanomaterials for water cleaning and desalination,energy production,disinfection, agriculture and green chemistry

Nanomaterials may help to solve issues such as water availability, clean energy generation, control of drug-resistant microorganisms and food safety. Here we review innovative approaches to solve these issues using nanotechnology. The major topics discussed are wastewater treatment using carbon-based, metal-based and polymeric nanoadsorbents for removing organic and metal contaminants; nanophotocatalysis for microbial control; desalination of seawater using nanomembranes; energy conversion and storage using solar cells and hydrogen-sorbents nanostructures; antimicrobial properties of nanomaterials; smart delivery systems; biocompatible nanomaterials such as nanolignocellulosis and starches-based materials, and methods to decrease the toxicity of nanomaterials. Significantly, here it is reviewed two ways to palliate nanomaterials toxicity: (a) controlling physicochemical factors affecting this toxicity in order to dispose of more safe nanomaterials, and (b) harnessing greener synthesis of them to bring down the environmental impact of toxic reagents, wastes and byproducts. All these current challenges are reviewed at the present article in an effort to evaluate environmental implications of nanomaterials technology by means of a complete, reliable and critical vision.     

人工纳米材料对贝类生态毒理效应的研究进展

纳米技术已成为21世纪发展最迅猛的技术领域之一。纳米材料因其具备新异的物理、化学特性而广泛应用于各种领域,包括农业,电子工业,生物医学,制造业,医药品和化妆品等,因此纳米颗粒不可避免会释放到水环境中。贝类由于其具有分布广,处于食物链中的关键位置,滤食食性,对重金属及污染物有较强的生物累积能力,且很多贝类具有养殖和商业价值,因而纳米颗粒对贝类的生态毒性效应备受关注。本文通过对已有相关研究成果进行归纳分析,重点阐述了3方面的内容:1)人工纳米材料在水环境中的行为;2)贝类作为水生污染监测指示生物的重要意义;3)人工纳米材料对贝类的毒性效应,主要包括贝类对纳米颗粒摄取、积累和转移,并从组织细胞水平,分子和基因水平,胚胎发育和个体生长水平等阐述了纳米材料对贝类的毒性效应。     

金属和非金属纳米材料对四膜虫生物毒性研究

纳米材料是"21世纪最有前途的材料",以其优良的性能广泛应用于许多领域,随之以多种形式释放到环境中。目前,关于纳米材料的安全性还没有明确的论断。本文介绍了四膜虫在纳米材料生物效应研究中的优势,重点论述了金属纳米材料、非金属纳米材料对四膜虫的生物效应以及毒性机制的研究状况,并对今后纳米材料生物毒性效应研究提供了建设性的方法及意见。     

纳米银的植物毒性研究进展

纳米银因其具备良好的催化、超导性能及杀菌消毒活性,广泛应用于食品加工业及医药等领域,是目前市场上最为常见的金属纳米材料。纳米银的大量生产和应用大大增加了其向环境释放的机会,同时也增加了其对环境及人类健康的潜在风险。植物是生态系统中重要组成部分,纳米银可通过植物积累进入食物链,因此对纳米银的植物毒理学研究尤为重要。纳米银的植物毒性与其被植物体吸收、迁移及转化有关。它可影响植物种子的萌发、苗期的生理生化过程和细胞结构等营养生长,也影响植物的开花、结实等生殖过程,并影响DNA的稳定性。但目前纳米银的毒性是否由银离子引起尚未确定。     

Nanomaterials for agriculture,food and environment: applications,toxicity and regulation

Nanotechnology is expected to have a beneficial influence on agriculture, food and environment, due to the unique properties of nanomaterials. However, little is known about their safety and potential toxicity. Here we review metal nanoparticles, nanometal oxides, carbon nanotubes, liposomes and dendrimers. We present the application of these nanomaterials in agriculture, food and environment for plant protection; disease treatment; packing materials; development of new tastes, textures and sensations; pathogen detection; and delivery systems. We discuss risk assessment of nanomaterials and toxicological impacts of nanomaterials on agriculture, food and environment. We then provide regulatory guidelines for the safer use of nanomaterials.     

Applications and genotoxicity of nanomaterials in the food industry

The use of nanomaterials in industrial sectors is currently widely accepted because of their unique beneficial properties. However, those unique properties can also induce toxic effects. Toxicity responses are induced by kinetic, dynamic, and catalytic properties, and by functionalization, net particle reactivity, agglomeration, and functional environment. Here, we review nanomaterial applications in food and consumer industries, genotoxic mechanisms, methods to study nanomaterials, and factors of toxicity.     

Nano-QSAR: 纳米毒理学领域的新方法

随着纳米毒理学实验研究的不断深入,反映纳米材料生物毒性效应的数据也不断丰富,以这些数据为基础建立的定量结构活性关系(QSAR)模型开始发挥其在纳米材料潜在毒性研究和预测方面的作用。纳米材料的QSAR(Nano-QSAR)研究以经典QSAR模型为指导,结合纳米材料特殊的物理化学性质,提供了一种对纳米材料快速筛选和优先测试的新途径。本文就Nano-QSAR的前期研究现状,从纳米材料结构描述符、毒性效应数据和建模方法3个方面分析了模型的构建流程和框架;通过列举部分研究成果和主要的模型指标,初步探讨了建模方法的选择和结构描述符的识别;最后指出目前Nano-QSAR研究面临的挑战和今后努力的方向。     

Carbon nanotube- and graphene-based advanced membrane materials for desalination

The development of membrane-based desalination and water purification technologies offers new alternatives to meet the global freshwater demand. Rapid advancement in carbon nanotube-based and graphene-based nanomaterials has drawn the attention of scientific investigators on various desalination technologies. These nanomaterials indeed offer advantageous structure, size, shape, porosity and mass transport behavior for membrane separation process. This article  reviews theoretical and experimental investigations of carbon nanotube- and graphene-based composite materials for desalination. Special attention is given to the simulation of molecular transport through these materials. Further, recent advances in the application of functionalization of carbon nanotube- and graphene-based materials for salt rejection and hydraulic permeation properties are discussed.     

Natural and synthesised iron-rich amendments for As and Pb immobilisation in agricultural soil

The immobilisation of heavy metals in contaminated soils is a promising alternative to conventional remediation techniques. Very few studies have focused on the use of iron-rich nanomaterials and natural materials for the adsorption of toxic metals in soils. Synthesised iron-rich nanomaterials (Fe and Zr–Fe oxides) and natural iron-rich materials (natural red earth; NRE) were used to immobilise As and Pb in contaminated agricultural soil. Total concentrations of As and Pb in the initial soil (as control) were 170.76 and 1945.11 mg kg^?1, respectively. Amendments were applied into the soil at 1, 2.5 and 5% (w/w) in triplicate and incubated for 150 days. Except for the NRE-amended soil, soil pH decreased from 5.6 to 4.9 with increasing application rates of Fe and Zr–Fe oxides. With addition of Fe and Zr–Fe oxides at 5%, the ammonium acetate (NHO₄Ac)-extractable Pb was greatly decreased by 83 and 65% compared with NRE addition (43%). All subjected amendments also led to a decrease in NHO₄Ac-extractable As in the soils, indicating the high capacity of As immobilisation. Soil amended with NRE showed a lower ratio of cy19:0 to 18:1ω7c, indicating decreased microbial stress. The toxicity characteristic leaching procedure produced results similar to the NHO₄Ac extraction for As and Pb. The NRE addition is recommended for immobilising heavy metals and maintaining biological soil properties.     

纳米材料对藻细胞毒性效应及致毒机理

纳米材料因其独特的性质被广泛应用于生物医疗、光学工程、催化等领域。随着纳米材料的生产量逐年增大,越来越多的纳米粒子被释放到水生生态环境中,其生态毒性效应影响也备受人们的关注。本文根据纳米材料的分类总结了不同种类纳米材料对水生生态系统的初级生产者藻类的毒性效应,归纳了纳米材料影响藻类毒性大小的主要因素,如纳米材料的物理化学性质、水体性质和藻种等,并探讨了纳米材料对藻类的致毒机理,如金属离子溶出、氧化损伤和遮光效应等,最后总结展望了纳米毒理学研究的发展方向,以期为纳米材料对藻类的毒性研究提供一定的理论依据。     

石墨烯纳米材料对哺乳动物的毒性及其作用机制

石墨烯是一种应用广泛的新兴非金属纳米材料，具有独特的电学机械性能、超大的比表面积以及潜在的生物相容性，在材料、电子、能源、光学以及生物医学等领域得到广泛应用。与此同时，石墨烯的环境行为和生物毒性也随之引起日益广泛的关注。本文通过对石墨烯纳米材料的动物毒性、细胞毒性、毒性影响因素和毒性机制等相关研究进展进行总结。石墨烯纳米材料可通过气管滴注、吸入、静脉注射、腹腔注射以及口服等方式进入体内，通过机械屏障、血脑屏障和血液胎盘屏障等积累在肺、肝、脾等部位引起急性或者慢性损伤；目前有关石墨烯毒性机制的研究主要集中于线粒体损伤、DNA损伤、炎性反应、凋亡等终点及氧化应激参与的复杂信号通路，不同石墨烯纳米材料的浓度、尺寸、表面结构和官能团等对石墨烯的生物毒性影响不同。鉴于当前该领域研究的局限性，对石墨烯纳米材料生物毒性研究的发展方向进行了展望，进而为石墨烯材料的安全应用提供理论借鉴和实践参考。     

Revising REACH guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment for engineered nanomaterials for aquatic ecotoxicity endpoints: recommendations from the EnvNano project

The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) is in the process of revising its guidance documents on how to address the challenges of ecotoxicological testing of nanomaterials. In these revisions, outset is taken in the hypothesis that ecotoxicological test methods, developed for soluble chemicals, can be made applicable to nanomaterials. European Research Council project EnvNano—Environmental Effects and Risk Evaluation of Engineered, which ran from 2011 to 2016, took another outset by assuming that: “The behaviour of nanoparticles in suspension is fundamentally different from that of chemicals in solution”. The aim of this paper is to present the findings of the EnvNano project and through these provide the scientific background for specific recommendations on how ECHA guidance could be further improved. Key EnvNano findings such as the need to characterize dispersion and dissolution rates in stock and test media have partially been addressed in the updated guidance. However, it has to be made clear that multiple characterization methods have to be applied to describe state of dispersion and dissolution over time and for various test concentration. More detailed information is called for on the specific characterization methods and techniques available and their pros and cons. Based on findings in EnvNano, we recommend that existing algal tests are supplemented with tests where suspensions of nanomaterials are aged for 1–3 days for nanomaterials that dissolve in testing media. Likewise, for daphnia tests we suggest to supplement with tests where (a) exposure is shortened to a 3 h pulse exposure in daphnia toxicity tests with environmentally hazardous metal and metal oxide nanomaterials prone to dissolution; and (b) food abundance is three to five times higher than normal, respectively. We further suggest that the importance of considering the impact of shading in algal tests is made more detailed in the guidance and that it is specified that determination of uptake, depuration and trophic transfer of nanomaterials for each commercialized functionalization of the nanomaterials is required. Finally, as an outcome of the project a method for assessing the regulatory adequacy of ecotoxicological studies of nanomaterials is proposed.     

Effect of biosolid hydrochar on toxicity to earthworms and brine shrimp

The hydrothermal carbonization of sewage sludge has been studied as an alternative technique for the conversion of sewage sludge into value-added products, such as soil amendments. We tested the toxicity of biosolid hydrochar (Sewchar) to earthworms. Additionally, the toxicity of Sewchar process water filtrate with and without pH adjustment was assessed, using brine shrimps as a model organism. For a Sewchar application of 40 Mg ha^?1, the earthworms significantly preferred the side of the vessel with the reference soil (control) over side of the vessel with the Sewchar treatments. There was no acute toxicity of Sewchar to earthworms within the studied concentration range (up to 80 Mg ha^?1). Regarding the Sewchar process water filtrate, the median lethal concentration (LC50) to the shrimps was 8.1% for the treatments in which the pH was not adjusted and 54.8% for the treatments in which the pH was adjusted to 8.5. The lethality to the shrimps significantly increased as the amount of Sewchar process water filtrate increased. In the future, specific toxic substances in Sewchar and its process water filtrate, as well as their interactions with soil properties and their impacts on organisms, should be elucidated. Additionally, it should be identified whether the amount of the toxic compounds satisfies the corresponding legal requirements for the safe application of Sewchar and its process water filtrate.     

Soil organic matter and salinity affect copper bioavailability in root zone and uptake by Vicia faba L. plants

Processes that control the mobility, transformation and toxicity of metals in soil are of special importance in the root-developing zone. For this reason, there is a considerable interest in understanding trace elements (TEs) behavior in soil, emphasising the processes by which plants take them up. Increased root-zone salinity can affect plant TEs uptake and accumulation in plant tissue. Furthermore, copper (Cu) complexation by soil organic matter (SOM) is an effective mechanism of Cu retention in soils, controlling thus its bioavailability. Therefore, a greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of soil Cu contamination in a saline environment on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) element uptake. Treatment with NaCl salinity was applied (control, 50 mM NaCl and 100 mM NaCl) on faba bean plants grown in a control and in a soil spiked with Cu (250 and 500 mg kg^?1). Low and high SOM content trial variants were studied. Cu accumulation occurred in faba bean leaf, pod and seed. Cu contamination affected plant element concentrations in leaves (Na, Ca, Mg, Mn), pod (Zn, Mn) and seed (Mn, Mo, Zn). Root-zone salinity also affected faba bean element concentrations. Furthermore, Cu contamination—salinity and salinity—SOM interactions were significant for pod Cu concentration, suggesting that Cu phytoavailability could be affected by these interactions. Future research will be focused on the mechanisms of Cu translocation in plant and adaptation aspects of abiotic stress.     

TiO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">2</Emphasis></Subscript> nanoparticles – Relationship between dispersion preparation method and ecotoxicity in the algal growth test

PurposeLittle is known about the ecotoxicity of nanomaterials and there are no specific guidelines for sample preparation and testing. We set out to establish whether the method used to prepare TiO₂ dispersions had a significant impact on aquatic ecotoxicity. We also followed the formation of agglomerates during the incubation period.MethodsWe applied the algal growth inhibition test (OECD test guideline no. 201). Dispersions were prepared by stirring and/or ultrasonication for different durations, and by filtration according to an OECD procedure recommended for testing difficult substances.ResultsSamples stirred for 7?d were not toxic, but EC₂₀ values could be calculated for all the other treatments. Shorter treatments generated EC₂₀ values in the range 1–27?mg/L. Only the shortest treatment (1 min stirring, 1 min ultrasonication) produced an unusually high EC₂₀ value, indicating low toxicity. Development of agglomerate size and of toxicity depends on the nanoparticles. We found that ecotoxicity was predominantly caused by a fraction of nanoparticles and agglomerates obtained by passing dispersions through a 0.22-µm filter.ConclusionsWe propose a short treatment regime to generate the most relevant ecotoxicity data for TiO₂, for example stirring for 1?min followed by 3 min ultrasonication. Until more data concerning the ecotoxicity of different fractions are available, we recommend the testing of unfiltered dispersions rather than filtrates. Relating ecotoxicity to the total hydrodynamic surface of the nanomaterials rather than concentration does not seem to improve the accuracy of ecotoxicity assessments using the algal growth inhibition test.     

Phytoavailability and potential transfer of Pb from a salt-affected soil to Atriplex verucifera,Salicornia europaea and Chenopodium album

The phytoavailability and potential transfer of Pb to Atriplex verucifera, Salicornia europaea and Chenopodium album in two calcareous soils with different salinity/sodicity were compared. The soils were spiked with 0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg Pb kg^?1 soil. Plant shoots were harvested and analysed for total Pb after they had been grown in the contaminated soils. Visual MINTEQ 3.0 was used to calculate the speciation of soluble Pb in the experimental soils. Results showed that although the concentrations of 1 M NH₄NO₃-extractable Pb were relatively similar, speciation of Pb in the soils were not the same. Salicornia europea was found to be the most salinity/sodicity-tolerant plant. When the plants were grown in non-saline soil, the Pb tolerance of the three plants was as follows: A. verucifera > C. album >S. europea, whereas in saline (sodic) soil, Pb tolerance was in the order S. europea > C. album > A. verucifera. Lead phytotoxicity to A. verucifera and C. album was higher in the saline soil, whereas for S. europea, Pb toxicity was higher in the non-saline soil. It could be concluded that the phytoavailability of Pb and its interactions with plants are widely dependent on soil salinity level and type of plant.     

Heavy metal phyto-technologies from Ramsar wetland plants: green approach

Side effects of chemical technologies to remediate hazardous heavy metals paved the way to green phyto-technologies. The present research investigated the effectiveness of wetland plants Lemna minor (duckweed), Azolla pinnata (water fern), and Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) pertaining to synchronised removal of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Cd) from a Ramsar site of an Indo-Burma global biodiversity hot spot region. These plants were grown at different concentrations (1.0, 2.0, and 5.0?mg/L) of metals in microcosm investigation. To this end, the result indicated high removal (>90%) of different metals during 15 days of the experiment. Furthermore, maximum removal was noted on the 12th day of the experiment. Also, results revealed that E. crassipes was the most efficient for the removal of heavy metals followed by L. minor and A. pinnata. Results from analysis confirmed the accumulation of metals within the macrophytes and a corresponding decrease of metals in the wastewater. Significant correlations between metal concentration, water, and wetland plants were obtained. To this end, wetland plants accumulated heavy metals within their tissues, leading to physiological/biochemical alterations. Selected plants exhibited a wide range of stress tolerance to all of the metals and therefore might be utilised for eco-removal of heavy metals from contaminated water. Finally, issues of phytosynthesis of nanoparticles, phytomining, and bioenergy have been critically discussed to attain a sustainability paradigm in the use of phyto-technologies for a green future in the environment sector.     

Nanotechnology innovations,industrial applications and patents

Nanotechnology can be defined as the use of nanomaterials for human benefit. Nanomaterials have unique properties due to their physical and chemical characteristics at the nanoscale (10^?9 nm). Nowadays, nanotechnology is providing new products in all industrial sectors. This article reviews innovations in fields such as biomedical, diagnosis of diseases, therapeutics, agriculture and food, nanofertilizers, oil, gas, textile and cosmeceuticals and packaging. Recent trends of patents and scholarly publications in nanotechnology are also discussed.     

表面涂层影响铜纳米材料和溶解性铜对大型溞的蓄积动力学和急性毒性

本研究评价了未涂覆或有三种不同表面涂层（即羧基化，聚乙二醇化和氨基团）的氧化铜纳米材料（CuO-NMS）对大型溞（Daphnia magna）的急性毒性和累积动力学。首先利用生物动力学模型确定了溶解铜和CuO-NMS水溶液对大型溞的吸附和消除速率常数。然后评估模型参数与急性毒性终点之间的关系，以考察累积动力学参数是否可作为急性毒性的预测指标。采用朗格缪尔方程表征铜纳米材料和氯化铜（溶解铜对照）的生物吸附动力学。得到的吸收速率依次为：CuO-NMs>NH3-CuO-NMs>Cu水溶液>PEG-CuO-NMs>COOH-CuO-NMs。采用单室模型测定大型溞对铜的去除率。估算了每种被测化学物质的不同消除速率常数。结果显示，容易被生物吸收的物质也更容易从生物体中去除。纳米材料在悬浮液中的吸附和净化性能与Zeta电位值和纳米材料团聚体直径有关。而生物吸附和毒性之间没有联系。水性暴露于较难生物吸附的CuO-NMs比易被生物吸附的CuO-NMs更易诱发不良反应。本文提出了纳米材料在介质中的某些物理化学性质，包括Zeta电位和团聚体直径，可以导致较高的生物吸附，但不一定影响毒性。总而言之，纳米材料与生物体的相互作用模式似乎很复杂，取决于生物体内纳米材料的化学形态和物理化学性质。