人工纳米颗粒在水体中的行为及其对浮游植物的影响

人工纳米颗粒(engineered nanoparticles,ENPs)因其特殊的尺寸效应及良好的光学、磁学等性质,已被广泛应用于医药、生物成像以及工业产品等领域.在生产、使用和排放的过程中,ENPs通过不同途径不可避免地进入水体,因此ENPs在水体中的行为和生物安全性也引起了人们的极大关注.在水生生态系统中,浮游植物作为初级生产者,为自身以及其他营养级生物提供营养物质、能量和氧气,因此受到ENPs的影响是难以估算的.近年来已有大量的研究证实ENPs对生物有毒性效应,但ENPs进入浮游植物体内的机制以及ENPs在浮游植物体内的生物运输和转化的报道较少,并且这方面的机制仍不甚明确.本文重点介绍了纳米材料进入水体的途径,在水体中的行为以及对浮游植物的生物效应的最新研究进展,但这方面的机制研究需要进一步深入.

Behaviors of Engineered Nanoparticles in Aquatic Environments and Impacts on Marine Phytoplankton

Engineered nanoparticles(ENPs) have shown invaluable societal benefits and applications in drug targeting, biological imaging and industrial products. ENPs enter the water body through various paths during the processes of production, usage and emission, therefore the behavior and the biosafety of ENPs in water bodies have attracted increasing attention. As the primary producer of ecosystems, phytoplankton provide nutrients, energy and oxygen for both themselves and organisms at higher trophic levels in the aquatic ecosystems. These primary producers may be exposed to the biological and unpredictable effects of this emergent pollutant to the aquatic ecosystems. Numerous studies have proved the toxic effects of ENPs on phytoplankton, but the mechanisms of entry into the aquatic organisms as well as the stability, fate and biotransformation in phytoplankton still remain unclear. Here, we present a review of the pathways of ENPs entering the water, the subsequent behavior and biological effects of ENPs on phytoplankton with an emphasis on latest findings and current knowledge. Future research and endeavors shall focus further on the understanding of mechanisms, fate and transport of ENPs in the aquatic ecosystems.