Chemical and biological oxidative effects of carbon black nanoparticles

Several studies show that ultrafine particles have a larger surface area than coarse particles, thus causing a greater inflammatory response. In this study, we investigated chemical and biological oxidative effects of nanoparticles in vitro. Carbon black (CB) nanoparticles with mean aerodynamic diameters of 14, 56, and 95nm were examined. The innate oxidative capacity of the CB nanoparticles was measured by consumption of dithiothreitol (DTT) in cell-free system. The expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in rat alveolar type II epithelial cell line (SV40T2) and alveolar macrophages (AM) exposed to CB nanoparticles was measured by ELISA. DTT consumption of 14nm CB was higher than that of other CB nanoparticles having the same particle weight. However, DTT consumption was directly proportional to the particle surface area. HO-1 protein in SV40T2 cells was significantly increased by the 14nm and 56nm CB, however, 95nm CB did not affect. HO-1 protein in AM was significantly increased by the 14, 56, and 95nm CB. The increase in HO-1 expression was diminished by N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) treatment of each CB nanoparticles before exposure although the difference between the effects of NAC-treated and untreated 14nm CB did not achieve significant. In conclusion, CB nanoparticles have innate oxidative capacity that may be dependent on the surface area. CB nanoparticles can induce oxidative stress in alveolar epithelial cells and AM that is more prominent with smaller particles. The oxidative stress may, at least partially, be mediated by surface function of particles.     

Co-exposure of Bi2O3 nanoparticles and bezo[a]pyrene-enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity of mouse spermatogonia cells

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Recent attention has been focused on reproductive toxicity of nanoscale materials in combination with pre-existing environmental pollutants. Due to...     

Assessing the potential exposure risk and control for airborne titanium dioxide and carbon black nanoparticles in the workplace

Purpose  

This study assessed the potential exposure risks for workers in the workplace exposed to airborne titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) and carbon black nanoparticles (CB-NPs). The risk management control strategies were also developed for the NP engineering workplace.     

Cellular uptake and mutagenic potential of metal oxide nanoparticles in bacterial cells

Extensive production and consumption of nanomaterials such as ZnO and TiO₂ has increased their release and disposal into the environment. The accumulation of nanoparticles (NPs) in ecosystem is likely to pose threat to non-specific targets such as bacteria. The present study explored the effect of ZnO and TiO₂ NPs in a model bacterium, Salmonella typhimurium. The uptake of ZnO and TiO₂ bare NPs in nano range without agglomeration was observed in S. typhimurium. TEM analysis demonstrated the internalization and uniform distribution of NPs inside the cells. Flow cytometry data also demonstrates that both ZnO and TiO₂ NPs were significantly internalized in the S. typhimurium cells in a concentration dependent manner. A significant increase in uptake was observed in the S. typhimurium treated even with 8 and 80 ng mL⁻¹ of ZnO and TiO₂ NPs with S9 after 60 min, possibly the formation of micelles or protein coat facilitated entry of NPs. These NPs exhibited weak mutagenic potential in S. typhimurium strains TA98, TA1537 and Escherichia coli (WP2uvrA) of Ames test underscoring the possible carcinogenic potential similar to certain mutagenic chemicals. Our study reiterates the need for re-evaluating environmental toxicity of ZnO and TiO₂ NPs presumably considered safe in environment.     

TiO2 nanoparticles potentiated the cytotoxicity,oxidative stress and apoptosis response of cadmium in two different human cells

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Widespread application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2) and ubiquitous cadmium (Cd) pollution may increase their chance of co-existence in...     

海藻酸钠与纳米Fe3O4联合固定化菌对三氟羧草醚的降解

采用联合固定化技术,将菌株Pseudomonas citronellolis DK-3与纳米Fe3O4固定于海藻酸钠小球中制成纳米Fe3O4和海藻酸钠联合固定化菌（Fe3O4/SA）,并系统研究了纳米Fe3O4的最佳投加量,Fe3O4/SA联合固定化菌对三氟羧草醚的降解特性以及Fe3O4/SA固定化菌在序批式反应器（SBR）中的降解稳定性。实验结果表明,当纳米Fe3O4的投加量为90 mg·L-1,三氟羧草醚初始浓度为100 mg·L-1时,固定化菌的降解率达到97.9%。扫描电镜结果表明Fe3O4/SA联合固定化小球更适合三氟羧草醚降解菌的附着生长。Fe3O4/SA联合固定化菌降解三氟羧草醚的最佳环境条件为pH：7~8、温度：30 ℃。此外,与SA固定化菌相比,Fe3O4/SA联合固定化菌具有更强的耐环境因素变化能力,抗重金属离子毒性能力。并且,经多次重复使用后,联合固定化菌仍保持较高的降解率（>95%）。最后,实验室规模序批式反应器（SBR）中降解实验表明,Fe3O4/SA联合固定化菌能够稳定运行35 d以上,降解率均高于95%,为三氟羧草醚固定化细菌的工程化应用奠定了理论基础。     

粉煤灰黑液胶凝材料的研究

研究了改性黑液作粉煤灰的激发剂,并与石灰、磷石膏一起制成一种新型的胶凝材料,讨论了粉煤灰、石灰、磷石膏及黑液的用量对胶凝材料性能的影响,并通过正交试验与模糊数学分析求出了最佳工艺参数。试验结果表明,该种新材料的抗压强度能达≥20MPa,耐水性良好,且工艺简单、成本低。     

Polymer coating of copper oxide nanoparticles increases nanoparticles uptake and toxicity in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) are frequently used in a polymer-coated form, to be included in paints or fabrics for antimicrobial properties. Their application in antifouling paints may lead to the contamination of aquatic ecosystems. However, the toxicological risk of NPs in the environment is hard to evaluate due to a lack of knowledge on the mechanisms of NP interaction with biological systems. In this study, we investigated the effect of polymer coating on CuO NP toxicity in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by comparing bare and polymer-coated CuO NPs prepared from the same CuO nanopowder. Both CuO NP suspensions were toxic to C. reinhardtii after 6 h treatment to concentrations of 0.005-0.04 g L⁻¹. Bare and polymer-coated CuO NPs induced a decrease of Photosystem II activity and the formation of reactive oxygen species. Polymer-coated CuO NP was found to be more toxic than the uncoated CuO NP. The higher toxicity of CS-CuO NP was mainly associated with the increased capacity of polymer-coated CuO NP to penetrate the cell compared to bare CuO NPs. These results indicates that the high toxicity of polymer-coated CuO NPs in algal cells results of intracellular interactions between NPs and the cellular system.     

Effect of acute exposure to PFOA on mouse liver cells in vivo and in vitro

Increasingly, epidemiological evidences indicate chemosynthetic perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), an environmental pollutant, induces potential adverse effect on human health after long-term exposure. However, less study has been performed for assessment of acute effect of PFOA exposure on metabolic homeostasis. In experimental designs, PFOA-exposed liver cells in vivo and in vitro were used to discuss underlying mechanism related to PFOA-induced metabolic dysfunction. In serological tests, PFOA-exposed mice showed increased treads of liver functional enzymes in alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and total bilirubin (T-BIL), trypsinase, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and insulin, while blood glucose, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and glucagon levels were reduced. In histocytological observations, PFOA-exposed liver showed visible cytoplasmic vesicles, and intact pancreatic islets were observed in PFOA-exposed pancreas. Additionally, increased insulin-positive cells and reduced glucagon-positive cells were detected in PFOA-exposed islets. As shown in immunoassays, PFOA-exposed liver resulted in elevations of cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36)-labeled cells and CD36 protein. In mouse liver cell study, PFOA-exposed cells showed increased cell apoptotic count, and increased phosphorylated levels of Bcl-2 and Bad in the cells. Furthermore, PFOA-exposed liver cells exhibited elevations of CD36-labeled cells and CD36 protein. Taken together, the present data demonstrate that acute exposure to PFOA-impaired liver function is associated with inducting CD36 expression and apoptosis, as well as disrupting key hormones in the pancreas.     

Occurrence, behavior and effects of nanoparticles in the environment

The increasing use of engineered nanoparticles (NP) in industrial and household applications will very likely lead to the release of such materials into the environment. Assessing the risks of these NP in the environment requires an understanding of their mobility, reactivity, ecotoxicity and persistency. This review presents an overview of the classes of NP relevant to the environment and summarizes their formation, emission, occurrence and fate in the environment. The engineered NP are thereby compared to natural products such as soot and organic colloids. To date only few quantitative analytical techniques for measuring NP in natural systems are available, which results in a serious lack of information about their occurrence in the environment. Results from ecotoxicological studies show that certain NP have effects on organisms under environmental conditions, though mostly at elevated concentrations. The next step towards an assessment of the risks of NP in the environment should therefore be to estimate the exposure to the different NP. It is also important to notice that most NP in technical applications are functionalized and therefore studies using pristine NP may not be relevant for assessing the behavior of the NP actually used.     

The effects of benomyl and its breakdown products carbendazim and butyl isocyanate on the structure and function of tracheal ciliated cells

Abstract

The effects of the fungicide benomyl and its breakdown products, carbendazim and butyl isocyanate, were examined on canine tracheal epithelial tissue in primary culture. Changes in ciliary frequencies were monitored with an optical spectrum analysis system. Serial dilutions of the test compounds were prepared in 100% corn oil and applied to the cell cultures for intervals up to 6 hours and frequencies measured at intervals of 15 minutes to 1 hour. Benomyl and butyl isocyanate caused concentration‐dependent decreases in ciliary beat frequency. Benomyl at 300 μg/ml (3 mM) caused ciliostasis within 75 minutes of exposure. Butyl isocyanate at a molar concentration three times lower than benomyl (1 mM) caused a similar response, although within 30 minutes. The IBC₅₀ for benomyl was 0.75 mM, while for butyl isocyanate it was 0.52 mM. Carbendazim caused a moderate decrease in frequency over a 6 hour exposure period. Benomyl caused moderate to severe swelling of the mitochondria of ciliated epithelial cells with other cell organelles appearing normal. Butyl isocyanate did not cause any noticeable effect on cell ultrastructure and the apparently low rate of penetration of carbendazim into cells made it impossible to obtain an effect which justified ultrastructural analysis. It appears, at least for benomyl and butyl isocyanate, that while the physiological effect of these two compounds (inhibition of ciliary beat) is the same, the sites of action in the cell may be different.     

Alternative methods for the pilot-scale production and characterization of chitosan nanoparticles

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This work describes the production/characterization of low molar mass chitosan nanoparticles derived from waste shrimp shells (SSC), as well as from a...     

微纳米磁性粒子对膜生物反应器运行效能的影响

针对膜生物反应器(MBR)应用中膜污染这一难题,构建了3套MBR系统对比研究了微纳米磁性粒子对MBR运行效能的影响,包括污染物去除效果、污泥混合液特性、膜污染情况等;并基于高通量测序技术,深入分析了微生物群落演替规律与MBR运行效能的关系。结果表明：微纳米磁性粒子的引入均未在污染物去除方面产生负面影响,MBR出水COD浓度低于50 mg·L−1,出水NH$\ _{{4}}^{{ + }}$-N维持在5 mg·L−1以下,均可达到国家污水排放标准一级A标准(GB 18918-2002);微纳米磁性粒子的引入均有效减缓了膜污染,并且微米尺度材料延缓效果更显著。膜污染组分分析表明：不同粒径磁性材料引入均有效降低了SMP、LB-EPS各组分浓度;同时有效减少了反应器中大分子物质含量,增加了小分子物质含量,因而降低了膜污染速率。微生物群落分析表明,微纳米磁性粒子的引入可能抑制了应器中易引起膜污染的先锋物种Alphaproteobacteria的生长,有效延缓了膜污染,并且微米粒径材料抑制效果更显著。研究结果可为磁活性污泥法调控MBR膜污染的工程应用提供参考。     

推进城乡一体化统筹经济和环境协调发展

论述了加速城乡一体化建设过程中,加强环境保护工作的紧迫性;提出了以优美乡镇创建为抓手,生态县(市)、生态省建设为载体,整体推进环境保护工作,从而推动城乡一体化进程。     

冻融循环及有机肥配施对黑土中镉形态的影响

以黑龙江黑土为对象,研究了冻融循环及有机肥配施量对黑土中镉形态分布的影响。对配施不同有机肥的土壤样品进行5次冻融循环,采用电感耦合等离子质谱仪(ICP-MS)分析土壤样品中镉的赋存形态。结果表明,冻融循环数及有机肥的配施有助于降低黑土中的总镉量;冻融循环会促使黑土中的镉由交换态、碳酸盐结合态、有机结合态向铁锰氧化物结合态和残渣态转化,而增加有机肥配施量会使黑土中的镉由交换态向其他形态转化。因此,冻融循环及有机肥配施有助于降低土壤中镉的生物有效性,进而降低其环境风险。     

Carbon source/sink function of a subtropical, eutrophic lake determined from an overall mass balance and a gas exchange and carbon burial balance

Although studies on carbon burial in lake sediments have shown that lakes are disproportionately important carbon sinks, many studies on gaseous carbon exchange across the water-air interface have demonstrated that lakes are supersaturated with CO(2) and CH(4) causing a net release of CO(2) and CH(4) to the atmosphere. In order to more accurately estimate the net carbon source/sink function of lake ecosystems, a more comprehensive carbon budget is needed, especially for gaseous carbon exchange across the water-air interface. Using two methods, overall mass balance and gas exchange and carbon burial balance, we assessed the carbon source/sink function of Lake Donghu, a subtropical, eutrophic lake, from April 2003 to March 2004. With the overall mass balance calculations, total carbon input was 14 905 t, total carbon output was 4950 t, and net carbon budget was +9955 t, suggesting that Lake Donghu was a great carbon sink. For the gas exchange and carbon burial balance, gaseous carbon (CO(2) and CH(4)) emission across the water-air interface totaled 752 t while carbon burial in the lake sediment was 9477 t. The ratio of carbon emission into the atmosphere to carbon burial into the sediment was only 0.08. This low ratio indicates that Lake Donghu is a great carbon sink. Results showed good agreement between the two methods with both showing Lake Donghu to be a great carbon sink. This results from the high primary production of Lake Donghu, substantive allochthonous carbon inputs and intensive anthropogenic activity. Gaseous carbon emission accounted for about 15% of the total carbon output, indicating that the total output would be underestimated without including gaseous carbon exchange.     

Accumulation,speciation and localization of silver nanoparticles in the earthworm Eisenia fetida

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in agriculture and many consumer products has led to a significant release of Ag in the environment. Although...