Ecotoxicity Assessment of Nanomaterials: Latest Advances and Prospects

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Nanoscience and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2024) | Viewed by 6672

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The benefits of nanotechnology to society are unquestionable. Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are used in a wide range of applications, such as food, cosmetics, biomedicine, electronics, energy production and storage, agriculture and environment (e.g., water remediation). Currently, there are more than 5280 products containing ENMs (Nanodatabase, November 2022). This increasing production and use results in significant amounts of ENMs (pristine, aged and/or their degradation products) released into the environment (air, water, sediment and soil). Although nanotoxicologists are continuously working on understanding nanomaterials’ potential adverse effects, the assessment of ENMs’ (eco)toxicity remains a challenge for the scientific community and a complete and clear understanding of ENMs’ ecotoxicological profile is still lacking. We know that the fate, uptake and biological impact of ENMs are dependent on their characteristics (e.g., surface charge, size, shape and agglomeration/aggregation state), which are in turn dependent of the medium in which they are present. Therefore, identifying and comprehending these factors, it is necessary to establish design rules in nanotechnology R&D to consider concerns about environmental/health safety in the design process. Accordingly, this Special Issue of Nanomaterials aims to aggregate papers about the latest advances and prospects in the ecotoxicity assessment of ENMs. This Special Issue Invites the submission of original research papers, case studies or up-to-date review papers on environmental risks posed by nanoscale materials. Studies focused on the interaction between ENMs and biological tissues/organisms, the behavior/fate of ENMs in different environmental media and their potential toxicity/uptake/bioaccumulation in different organisms (including in vitro studies) are very welcome.

Specifically, some interesting topics include:

  • Ecotoxicity assessment including a multi-endpoint approach: at individual (e.g., survival, reproduction, behavior), biochemical (e.g., DNA damage, oxidative stress, neurotransmission) and molecular (e.g., gene and protein expressions) levels;
  • Long-term exposures with special attention to multigenerational and/or transgenerational effects;
  • Advances in the characterization and understanding of the biological interactions of ENMs, and of their toxic effects at predicted environmental concentrations;
  • Future needs, challenges and directions in ENMs ecotoxicity assessment.

Dr. Vera Lúcia Maria
Dr. Ângela Barreto
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nanoscale materials
  • ecotoxicological impact
  • multi-endpoint assessments
  • mechanisms of toxicity
  • uptake/bioaccumulation
  • nanomaterial characterization
  • nano–bio interactions
  • behavior/fate
  • environmental matrices
  • risk assessment

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 159 KiB  
Editorial
Ecotoxicity Assessment of Nanomaterials: Latest Advances and Prospects
by Vera L. Maria and Angela Barreto
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(4), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14040326 - 07 Feb 2024
Viewed by 513
Abstract
In the fast-evolving landscape of nanotechnology, the widespread applications of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have undoubtedly revolutionized various industries, ranging from healthcare and electronics to agriculture and environmental remediation [...] Full article

Research

Jump to: Editorial

13 pages, 2007 KiB  
Article
A Comprehensive Ecotoxicity Study of Molybdenum Disulfide Nanosheets versus Bulk form in Soil Organisms
by Joana Santos, Angela Barreto, Cristiana Fernandes, Ana Rita R. Silva, Diogo N. Cardoso, Edgar Pinto, Ana L. Daniel-da-Silva and Vera L. Maria
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(24), 3163; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13243163 - 18 Dec 2023
Viewed by 781
Abstract
The increasing use of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoparticles (NPs) raises concerns regarding their accumulation in soil ecosystems, with limited studies on their impact on soil organisms. Study aim: To unravel the effects of MoS2 nanosheets (two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 NPs) [...] Read more.
The increasing use of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoparticles (NPs) raises concerns regarding their accumulation in soil ecosystems, with limited studies on their impact on soil organisms. Study aim: To unravel the effects of MoS2 nanosheets (two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 NPs) and bulk MoS2 (156, 313, 625, 1250, 2500 mg/kg) on Enchytraeus crypticus and Folsomia candida. The organisms’ survival and avoidance behavior remained unaffected by both forms, while reproduction and DNA integrity were impacted. For E. crypticus, the individual endpoint reproduction was more sensitive, increasing at lower concentrations of bulk MoS2 and decreasing at higher ones and at 625 mg/kg of 2D MoS2 NPs. For F. candida, the molecular endpoint DNA integrity was more impacted: 2500 mg/kg of bulk MoS2 induced DNA damage after 2 days, with all concentrations inducing damage by day 7. 2D MoS2 NPs induced DNA damage at 156 and 2500 mg/kg after 2 days, and at 1250 and 2500 mg/kg after 7 days. Despite affecting the same endpoints, bulk MoS2 induced more effects than 2D MoS2 NPs. Indeed, 2D MoS2 NPs only inhibited E. crypticus reproduction at 625 mg/kg and induced fewer (F. candida) or no effects (E. crypticus) on DNA integrity. This study highlights the different responses of terrestrial organisms to 2D MoS2 NPs versus bulk MoS2, reinforcing the importance of risk assessment when considering both forms. Full article
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11 pages, 1055 KiB  
Article
Effect of Exposure Concentration and Growth Conditions on the Association of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles with Green Algae
by Aiga Mackevica, Lyndsey Hendriks, Olga Meili-Borovinskaya, Anders Baun and Lars Michael Skjolding
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(17), 2468; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13172468 - 01 Sep 2023
Viewed by 978
Abstract
The increasing release of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) into aquatic ecosystems makes it crucial to understand the interactions of NPs with aquatic organisms, such as algae. In this study, the association of CeO2 NPs with unicellular algae (Raphidocelis subcapitata) and changes [...] Read more.
The increasing release of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) into aquatic ecosystems makes it crucial to understand the interactions of NPs with aquatic organisms, such as algae. In this study, the association of CeO2 NPs with unicellular algae (Raphidocelis subcapitata) and changes to the cellular elemental profile were investigated using three exposure concentrations (1, 50, and 1000 µg CeO2/L) at two different algal growth conditions—exponential and inhibited growth (1% glutaraldehyde). After a 24 h-exposure, algal suspensions were settled by gravity and CeO2-NP/algae association was analyzed by single-cell inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (sc-ICP-QMS) and ICP time-of-flight MS (sc-ICP-TOFMS). Concurrent detection of the cellular fingerprint with cerium indicated NP association with algae (adsorption/uptake) and changes in the cellular elemental profiles. Less than 5% of cells were associated with NPs when exposed to 1 µg/L. For 50 µg/L exposures in growing and inhibited cell treatments, 4% and 16% of cells were associated with CeO2 NPs, respectively. ICP-TOFMS analysis made it possible to exclude cellular exudates associated with CeO2 NPs due to the cellular fingerprint. Growing and inhibited cells had different elemental profile changes following exposure to CeO2 NPs—e.g., growing cells had higher Mg and lower P contents independent of CeO2 concentration compared to inhibited cells. Full article
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11 pages, 1125 KiB  
Article
Characterization and Behaviour of Silica Engineered Nanocontainers in Low and High Ionic Strength Media
by Violeta Ferreira, Joana Figueiredo, Roberto Martins, Alesia Sushkova, Frederico Maia, Ricardo Calado, João Tedim and Susana Loureiro
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(11), 1738; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13111738 - 26 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1200
Abstract
Mesoporous silica engineered nanomaterials are of interest to the industry due to their drug-carrier ability. Advances in coating technology include using mesoporous silica nanocontainers (SiNC) loaded with organic molecules as additives in protective coatings. The SiNC loaded with the biocide 4,5-dichloro-2-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (DCOIT), i.e., [...] Read more.
Mesoporous silica engineered nanomaterials are of interest to the industry due to their drug-carrier ability. Advances in coating technology include using mesoporous silica nanocontainers (SiNC) loaded with organic molecules as additives in protective coatings. The SiNC loaded with the biocide 4,5-dichloro-2-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (DCOIT), i.e., SiNC-DCOIT, is proposed as an additive for antifouling marine paints. As the instability of nanomaterials in ionic-rich media has been reported and related to shifting key properties and its environmental fate, this study aims at understanding the behaviour of SiNC and SiNC-DCOIT in aqueous media with distinct ionic strengths. Both nanomaterials were dispersed in (i) low- (ultrapure water—UP) and (ii) high- ionic strength media—artificial seawater (ASW) and f/2 medium enriched in ASW (f/2 medium). The morphology, size and zeta potential (ζP) of both engineering nanomaterials were evaluated at different timepoints and concentrations. Results showed that both nanomaterials were unstable in aqueous suspensions, with the initial ζP values in UP below −30 mV and the particle size varying from 148 to 235 nm and 153 to 173 nm for SiNC and SiNC-DCOIT, respectively. In UP, aggregation occurs over time, regardless of the concentration. Additionally, the formation of larger complexes was associated with modifications in the ζP values towards the threshold of stable nanoparticles. In ASW, SiNC and SiNC-DCOIT formed aggregates (<300 nm) independently of the time or concentration, while larger and heterogeneous nanostructures (>300 nm) were detected in the f/2 medium. The pattern of aggregation detected may increase engineering nanomaterial sedimentation rates and enhance the risks towards dwelling organisms. Full article
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13 pages, 6280 KiB  
Article
The Influence of the Size of BN NSs on Silkworm Development and Tissue Microstructure
by Vivian Andoh, Haiyan Liu, Liang Chen, Lin Ma and Keping Chen
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(9), 1502; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13091502 - 27 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1244
Abstract
Boron nitride nanosheets (BN NSs) have emerged as promising materials in a wide range of biomedical applications. Despite the extensive studies on these bio-nano interfacial systems, one critical concern is their toxicity, which is affected by a variety of factors, including size. This [...] Read more.
Boron nitride nanosheets (BN NSs) have emerged as promising materials in a wide range of biomedical applications. Despite the extensive studies on these bio-nano interfacial systems, one critical concern is their toxicity, which is affected by a variety of factors, including size. This study aimed at assessing the relationship between BN NSs size and toxicity. Two silkworm strains (qiufeng × baiyu and Nistari 7019) were used as model organisms to investigate the effect of different sizes of BN NSs (BN NSs-1, thickness of 41.5 nm and diameter of 270.7 nm; BN NSs-2, thickness of 48.2 nm and diameter of 562.2 nm) on silkworm mortality, growth, cocoon weight, and tissue microstructure. The findings show that exposure to BN NSs in this work has no lethal adverse effects on silkworm growth or tissue microstructure. BN NSs have a higher effect on the growth rate of qiufeng × baiyu compared to Nistari 7019, demonstrating that the same treatment does not favorably affect the Nistari 7019 strain, as there is no significant increase in cocoon weight. Overall, the study suggests that the sizes of BN NSs employed in this study are relatively safe and have less negative impact on silkworms. This offers significant insights into the effect of BN NSs size, a crucial factor to consider for their safe use in biomedical applications. Full article
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16 pages, 1943 KiB  
Article
Effects of Carbon Nanoparticles and Chromium Combined Exposure in Native (Ruditapes decussatus) and Invasive (Ruditapes philippinarum) Clams
by Julieta Sturla Lompré, Lucia De Marchi, João Pinto, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Carlo Pretti, Federica Chielini, Eduarda Pereira and Rosa Freitas
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(4), 690; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13040690 - 10 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1464
Abstract
Studies have described the occurrence of nanoparticles (NPs) in aquatic ecosystems, with particular attention to the widely commercialized carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Their presence in the environment raises concerns, especially regarding their toxicity when co-occurring with other pollutants such as metals. In the present [...] Read more.
Studies have described the occurrence of nanoparticles (NPs) in aquatic ecosystems, with particular attention to the widely commercialized carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Their presence in the environment raises concerns, especially regarding their toxicity when co-occurring with other pollutants such as metals. In the present study, changes to the metabolic capacity, oxidative, and neurologic status were evaluated in the presence of carboxylated multi-walled CNTs and chromium (Cr(III)) using two of the most ecologically and economically relevant filter feeder organisms: the clam species Ruditapes decussatus and R. philippinarum. Results indicated that although Cr, either alone or in combination with CNTs, was found in a similar concentration level in both species, a species-specific Cr accumulation was observed, with higher values in R. decussatus in comparison with R. philippinarum. Inhibition of antioxidant defenses and neurotoxic effects were detected only in R. philippinarum. The interaction between contaminants seems to have no effect in terms of antioxidant enzyme activities and neuro status. Nevertheless, synergistic activation of responses to both contaminants may have altered the metabolic capacity of bivalves, particularly evident in R. decussatus. While both clams are tolerant to both contaminants (alone and together), they showed a relevant accumulation capacity, which may represent a possible contaminant transfer to humans. Full article
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