Nanomaterials Ecotoxicity Evaluation

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2023) | Viewed by 29394

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Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570208, China
Interests: marine ecotoxicology of emerging chemicals, especially the fate, transport, transformation, bioaccumulation and toxicity of manufactured nanomaterials, plastic particles, POPs and heavy metals, etc. in an aquatic environment; ecology and ecosystem health assessment; new methods and technologies for marine ecological monitoring
College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, Shandong, China
Interests: environmental behaviors of engineered nanoparticles and microplastics; toxicity of nanoplastics in aquatic environments; application of nanotechnology in environments

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanotechnology has made enormous progress over the last few decades, and the current use of nanomaterials is rapidly increasing. As a result, the continuous release of nanomaterials to air, water, and soil has raised concerns about possible adverse consequences for environmental and human health. This Special Issue pays close attention to the evaluation of nanomaterials’ ecotoxicity associated with the occurrences, behavior, fate, and bioavailability of nanomaterials. Such an evaluation would be critical for scientists, legislators, business leaders, and the public to understand and develop effective solutions toward the potential impacts of nanomaterials. We herein invite submissions presenting new and original research on the following topics including but not limited to:

  1. Toxicity and ecological effects of nanomaterials;
  2. Bioconcentration and bioaccumulation of nanomaterials in aquatic and terrestrial organisms;
  3. Trophic transfer and biomagnification of nanomaterials in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems;
  4. Transport and transformation of nanomaterials in air, water, and soil environments;
  5. Environmental and health risk assessment of nanomaterials.

Research articles, letters, reviews, as well as perspective views are all welcome. We look forward to your submissions.

Dr. Xiaoshan Zhu
Dr. Jian Zhao
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Nanoparticles (nanoplastics)
  • Engineered nanomaterials
  • Ecotoxicity
  • Bioconcentration and bioaccumulation
  • Trophic transfer
  • Transport and transformation
  • Risk assessment
  • Air, water, and soil environment

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 181 KiB  
Editorial
Editorial for the Special Issue “Nanomaterials Ecotoxicity Evaluation”
by Xiaoshan Zhu and Jian Zhao
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(21), 2878; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13212878 - 30 Oct 2023
Viewed by 598
Abstract
Nanotechnology has made enormous progress over the last few decades, and the current use of nanomaterials is rapidly increasing [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials Ecotoxicity Evaluation)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

13 pages, 2219 KiB  
Article
Short-Term Exposure to MPs and DEHP Disrupted Gill Functions in Marine Bivalves
by Yanfei Zhou, Yanping Li, Wenlu Lan, Hao Jiang and Ke Pan
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(22), 4077; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12224077 - 19 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1592
Abstract
The synergistic impact of microplastics (MPs) and organic pollutants remains poorly understood in the marine environment. This study aimed to assess the toxicity of polypropylene microplastics (PS) and/or di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on marine clams. Both Ruditapes philippinarum and Tegillarca granosa were exposed to [...] Read more.
The synergistic impact of microplastics (MPs) and organic pollutants remains poorly understood in the marine environment. This study aimed to assess the toxicity of polypropylene microplastics (PS) and/or di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on marine clams. Both Ruditapes philippinarum and Tegillarca granosa were exposed to PS and DEHP individually and combined at environmentally relevant concentrations for 48 h. The filtration rate, antioxidant enzymes activity, lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and histological alterations were evaluated. Our results show that single or co-exposure to MPs and DEHP significantly decreases the filtration rate in both type of clams, but the latter exhibited stronger inhibition effect. Close examination of accumulation of reactive oxygen species and related biomarkers revealed that combined exposure exerts greater oxidative stress in the cells, which causes more serious histopathological damage in the gills of the bivalves. Our study implies that MPs, in synergy with organic pollutants, can be more harmful for marine organisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials Ecotoxicity Evaluation)
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20 pages, 1215 KiB  
Article
Environmental Safety Assessments of Lipid Nanoparticles Loaded with Lambda-Cyhalothrin
by Catarina Ganilho, Márcia Bessa da Silva, Cristiana Paiva, Thacilla Ingrid de Menezes, Mayara Roncaglia dos Santos, Carlos M. Pereira, Ruth Pereira and Tatiana Andreani
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(15), 2576; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12152576 - 27 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1988
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LN) composed of biodegradable lipids and produced by green methods are candidates for the encapsulation of pesticides, potentially contributing to decreasing their release in the environment. From a safety-by-design concept, this work proposes LN for the encapsulation of insecticide active ingredients [...] Read more.
Lipid nanoparticles (LN) composed of biodegradable lipids and produced by green methods are candidates for the encapsulation of pesticides, potentially contributing to decreasing their release in the environment. From a safety-by-design concept, this work proposes LN for the encapsulation of insecticide active ingredients (AI). However, given the complexity of nanoparticles, ecotoxicological studies are often controversial, and a detailed investigation of their effects on the environment is required. Accordingly, this work aimed to produce and characterize LN containing the insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin (LC) and evaluate their safety to crops (Solanum lycopersicum and Zea mays), soil invertebrates (Folsomia candida and Eisenia fetida), and soil microbial parameters. The average particle size for LN-loaded with LC (LN–LC) was 165.4 ± 2.34 nm, with narrow size distribution and negative charge (−38.7 ± 0.954 mV). LN were able to encapsulate LC with an entrapment efficacy of 98.44 ± 0.04%, maintaining the stability for at least 4 months. The LN–LC showed no risk to the growth of crops and reproduction of the invertebrates. The effect on microbial parameters showed that the activity of certain soil microbial parameters can be inhibited or stimulated by the presence of LN at highest concentrations, probably by changing the pH of soil or by the intrinsic properties of LN. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials Ecotoxicity Evaluation)
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14 pages, 5756 KiB  
Article
Low Concentrations of Silver Nanoparticles Inhibit Spore Germination and Disturb Gender Differentiation of Ceratopteris thalictroides (L.) Brongn
by Zhenwei Lu, Liyan Yin, Wei Li and Hong-Sheng Jiang
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(10), 1730; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12101730 - 18 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1437
Abstract
Because of their excellent antibacterial properties, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in all walks of life, which has caused them to be discharged into aquatic environments with possible negative effects on aquatic plants. In the present study, we used an aquatic fern, [...] Read more.
Because of their excellent antibacterial properties, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in all walks of life, which has caused them to be discharged into aquatic environments with possible negative effects on aquatic plants. In the present study, we used an aquatic fern, Ceratopteris thalictroides, as a model to investigate the effects of AgNPs on its spore germination, gametophytes, sex differentiation, and growth. The results demonstrated that AgNPs significantly inhibited spore germination of C. thalictroides at a AgNP concentration higher than 0.02 mg/L. Additionally, we found sex-dependent effects of AgNPs on the development and growth of the gametophyte of C. thalictroides. The proportion of hermaphrodites in the gametophytes and the area of gametophytes significantly decreased under AgNP treatment, while no significant effect was observed in the male gametophytes. Using the AgNP filtrate (without nanoparticles) and AgNPs plus cysteine (Ag+ chelator), we found that the release of Ag+ from nanoparticles was not the cause of the toxicity of AgNPs on C. thalictroides. The EC50 of AgNPs on spore germination was 0.0492 mg/L, thus indicating an ecological risk of AgNPs on this species even at concentrations lower than the Ag element concentration of the WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials Ecotoxicity Evaluation)
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19 pages, 7123 KiB  
Article
Effect of Tube Diameters and Functional Groups on Adsorption and Suspension Behaviors of Carbon Nanotubes in Presence of Humic Acid
by Mengyuan Fang, Tianhui Zhao, Xiaoli Zhao, Zhi Tang, Shasha Liu, Junyu Wang, Lin Niu and Fengchang Wu
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(9), 1592; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12091592 - 07 May 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1677
Abstract
The adsorption and suspension behaviors of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the water environment determine the geochemical cycle and ecological risk of CNTs and the compounds attached to them. In this study, CNTs were selected as the research object, and the effect of tube [...] Read more.
The adsorption and suspension behaviors of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the water environment determine the geochemical cycle and ecological risk of CNTs and the compounds attached to them. In this study, CNTs were selected as the research object, and the effect of tube diameters and functional groups (multiwall CNTs (MWNTs) and hydroxylated MWNTs (HMWNTs)) on the adsorption and suspension behaviors of the CNTs in the presence of humic acid (HA) was systematically analyzed. The results indicate that HA adsorption decreased with the increase in the solution pH, and the adsorption amount and rate were negatively correlated with the tube diameter of the CNTs. The surface hydroxylation of the CNTs prevented the adsorption of HA, and the maximum adsorption amounts on the MWNTs and HMWNTs were 195.95 and 74.74 mg g−1, respectively. HA had an important effect on the suspension of the CNTs, especially for the surface hydroxylation, and the suspension of the CNTs increased with the increase in the tube diameter. The characteristics of the CNTs prior to and after adsorbing HA were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that surface hydroxylation of the CNTs increased the adsorption of aromatic compounds, and that the CNTs with a smaller diameter and a larger specific surface area had a disordered carbon accumulation microstructure and many defects, where the adsorption of part of the HA would cover the defects on the CNTs’ surface. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrated that HA was more easily adsorbed on the CNTs without surface hydroxylation. This investigation is helpful in providing a theoretical basis for the scientific management of the production and application of CNTs, and the scientific assessment of their geochemical cycle and ecological risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials Ecotoxicity Evaluation)
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16 pages, 2019 KiB  
Article
Phytotoxicity and Accumulation of Copper-Based Nanoparticles in Brassica under Cadmium Stress
by Shiqi Wang, Yutong Fu, Shunan Zheng, Yingming Xu and Yuebing Sun
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(9), 1497; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12091497 - 28 Apr 2022
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 1874
Abstract
The widespread use of copper-based nanoparticles expands the possibility that they enter the soil combined with heavy metals, having a toxic effect and posing a threat to the safety of vegetables. In this study, single and combined treatments of 2 mg/L Cd, 20 [...] Read more.
The widespread use of copper-based nanoparticles expands the possibility that they enter the soil combined with heavy metals, having a toxic effect and posing a threat to the safety of vegetables. In this study, single and combined treatments of 2 mg/L Cd, 20 mg/L Cu NPs and 20 mg/L CuO NPs were added into Hoagland nutrient solution by hydroponics experiments. The experimental results show that copper-based Nanoparticles (NPs) can increase the photosynthetic rate of plants and increase the biomass of Brassica. Cu NPs treatment increased the Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities of Brassica, and both NPs inhibited ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity. We observed that Cd + Cu NPs exhibited antagonistic effects on Cd accumulation, inhibiting it by 12.6% in leaf and 38.6% in root, while Cd + CuO NPs increased Cd uptake by 73.1% in leaves and 22.5% in roots of Brassica. The Cu content in the shoots was significantly negatively correlated with Cd uptake. The Cd content of each component in plant subcellular is soluble component > cytoplasm > cell wall. Cu NPs + Cd inhibited the uptake of Zn, Ca, Fe, Mg, K and Mn elements, while CuO NPs + Cd promoted the uptake of Mn and Na elements. The results show that copper-based nanoparticles can increase the oxidative damage of plants under cadmium stress and reduce the nutritional value of plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials Ecotoxicity Evaluation)
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15 pages, 2065 KiB  
Article
Application of Exogenous Iron Alters the Microbial Community Structure and Reduces the Accumulation of Cadmium and Arsenic in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
by Tingting Li, Jiayuan Li, Xin Zhan, Xueli Wang, Bing He, Feishu Cao, Changjun Liao, Yuefeng Yu, Zengyu Zhang, Junhui Zhang, Bei Li, Jiancheng Chen, Hong Li, Zhiqiang Zhu, Yanyan Wei and Junming Hu
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(8), 1311; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12081311 - 11 Apr 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2187
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) contamination of soil has been a public concern due to their potential accumulation risk through the food chain. This study was conducted to investigate the performance of ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) and ferric oxide (Fe2O [...] Read more.
Cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) contamination of soil has been a public concern due to their potential accumulation risk through the food chain. This study was conducted to investigate the performance of ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) and ferric oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticle (Nano-Fe) to stabilize the concentrations of Cd and As in paddy soil. Both Fe treatments led to low extractable Cd and the contents of specifically sorbed As contents, increased (p < 0.05) the Shannon index and decreased (p < 0.05) the Simpson diversity indices compared with the control. Nano-Fe increased the relative abundances of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria and decreased the abundances of Acidobacteria and Chloroflexi. Moreover, the addition of both forms of Fe promoted the formation of Fe plaque and decreased the translocation factor index (TFs) root/soil, TFs shoot/root, and TFs grain/shoot of Cd and As. These results suggest that exogenous Fe may modify the microbial community and decrease the soil available Cd and As contents, inhibit the absorption of Cd and As by the roots and decrease the transport of Cd and As in rice grains and the risk intake in humans. These findings demonstrate that soil amendment with exogenous Fe, particularly Nano-Fe, is a potential approach to simultaneously remediate the accumulation of Cd and As from the soil to rice grain systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials Ecotoxicity Evaluation)
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20 pages, 1404 KiB  
Article
Public Perceptions and Willingness-to-Pay for Nanopesticides
by Peiyuan Liu, Xiaodong Zheng, Shuangyue Shangguan, Lina Zhao, Xiangming Fang, Yuxiong Huang and Slav W. Hermanowicz
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(8), 1292; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12081292 - 11 Apr 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2360
Abstract
The usage of pesticides is deemed essential to ensure crop production for global food security. Conventional chemical pesticides have significant effects on ecosystems. Nanopesticides are increasingly considered an emerging alternative due to their higher efficiency and lower environmental impacts. However, large knowledge gaps [...] Read more.
The usage of pesticides is deemed essential to ensure crop production for global food security. Conventional chemical pesticides have significant effects on ecosystems. Nanopesticides are increasingly considered an emerging alternative due to their higher efficiency and lower environmental impacts. However, large knowledge gaps exist in the public perceptions and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for nanopesticides. Thus, we conducted a regional survey of pesticide users and food consumers on perceptions and WTP for nanopesticides across China. We found that 97.4% pesticide users were willing to pay for nanopesticides, with a main price from 25% to 40% higher than for conventional pesticides. Experience with applying pesticides, income, familiarity with and attitude toward nanopesticides, and trust in industries were significant determinants of WTP. Although the public were not familiar with nanopesticides, they had positive attitudes toward their future development and supported labeling nanoscale ingredients on products. Pesticide users presented high trust levels in governments and industries, while 34% of food consumers neutrally or distrusted industries in selling and production. This study highlights the socioeconomic and technological aspects of nanopesticides, which could provide guidance for industries to develop market strategies and for governments to design relevant regulation policies effectively, contributing to crop yield improvement and sustainable agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials Ecotoxicity Evaluation)
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12 pages, 2508 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Bioaccumulation and Toxicity of Arsenic in Marine Mussel Perna viridis in the Presence of CuO/Fe3O4 Nanoparticles
by Shuang Zhou, Wei Qian, Zigong Ning and Xiaoshan Zhu
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(10), 2769; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11102769 - 19 Oct 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1654
Abstract
Leakage of metal oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) into marine environments is inevitable with the increasing use of MNPs. However, little is known about the effects of these lately emerged MNPs on the bioaccumulation and toxicity of pre-existing contaminants in marine biota. The current study [...] Read more.
Leakage of metal oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) into marine environments is inevitable with the increasing use of MNPs. However, little is known about the effects of these lately emerged MNPs on the bioaccumulation and toxicity of pre-existing contaminants in marine biota. The current study therefore investigated the effects of two common MNPs, CuO nanoparticles (nCuO) and Fe3O4 nanoparticles (nFe3O4), on bioaccumulation and toxicity of arsenic (As) in green mussel Perna viridis. Newly introduced MNPs remarkably promoted the accumulation of As and disrupted the As distribution in mussels because of the strong adsorption of As onto MNPs. Moreover, MNPs enhanced the toxicity of As by disturbing osmoregulation in mussels, which could be supported by decreased activity of Na+-K+-ATPase and average weight loss of mussels after MNPs exposure. In addition, the enhanced toxicity of As in mussels might be due to that MNPs reduced the biotransformation efficiency of more toxic inorganic As to less toxic organic As, showing an inhibitory effect on As detoxifying process of mussels. This could be further demonstrated by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as implied by the rise in quantities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid peroxidation (LPO), and subsequently restraining the glutathione-S-transferases (GST) activity and glutathione (GSH) content in mussels. Taken together, this study elucidated that MNPs may elevate As bioaccumulation and limit As biotransformation in mussels, which would result in an enhanced ecotoxicity of As towards marine organisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials Ecotoxicity Evaluation)
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10 pages, 1965 KiB  
Article
Effects of Nanoplastics on the Dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae Hulburt from the Perspectives of Algal Growth, Oxidative Stress and Hemolysin Production
by Su-Chun Wang, Fei-Fei Liu, Tian-Yuan Huang, Jin-Lin Fan, Zhi-Yin Gao and Guang-Zhou Liu
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(10), 2471; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11102471 - 22 Sep 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2380
Abstract
Recently, the effects of nanoplastics (NPs) on aquatic organisms have attracted much attention; however, research on the toxicity of NPs to microalgae has been insufficient. In the present study, the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (nano-PS, 50 nm) on growth inhibition, chlorophyll content, oxidative [...] Read more.
Recently, the effects of nanoplastics (NPs) on aquatic organisms have attracted much attention; however, research on the toxicity of NPs to microalgae has been insufficient. In the present study, the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (nano-PS, 50 nm) on growth inhibition, chlorophyll content, oxidative stress, and algal toxin production of the marine toxigenic dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae Hulburt were investigated. Chlorophyll synthesis was promoted by nano-PS on day 2 but was inhibited on day 4; high concentrations of nano-PS (≥50 mg/L) significantly inhibited the growth of A. carterae. Moreover, despite the combined effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH), high reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were still induced by nano-PS (≥50 mg/L), indicating severe lipid peroxidation. In addition, the contents of extracellular and intracellular hemolytic toxins in nano-PS groups were significantly higher than those in control groups on days 2 and 8, except that those of extracellular hemolytic toxins in the 100 mg/L nano-PS group decreased on day 8 because of severe adsorption of hemolytic toxins to the nano-PS. Hence, the effects of nano-PS on A. carterae are closely linked to nano-PS concentration and surface properties and exposure time. These findings provide a deep understanding of the complex effects of NPs on toxigenic microalgae and present valuable data for assessing their environmental risks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials Ecotoxicity Evaluation)
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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

15 pages, 715 KiB  
Review
Impact on Some Soil Physical and Chemical Properties Caused by Metal and Metallic Oxide Engineered Nanoparticles: A Review
by Jonathan Suazo-Hernández, Nicolás Arancibia-Miranda, Rawan Mlih, Lizethly Cáceres-Jensen, Nanthi Bolan and María de la Luz Mora
Nanomaterials 2023, 13(3), 572; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13030572 - 31 Jan 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3818
Abstract
In recent years, the release of metal and metallic oxide engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) into the environment has generated an increase in their accumulation in agricultural soils, which is a serious risk to the ecosystem and soil health. Here, we show the impact of [...] Read more.
In recent years, the release of metal and metallic oxide engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) into the environment has generated an increase in their accumulation in agricultural soils, which is a serious risk to the ecosystem and soil health. Here, we show the impact of ENPs on the physical and chemical properties of soils. A literature search was performed in the Scopus database using the keywords ENPs, plus soil physical properties or soil chemical properties, and elements availability. In general, we found that the presence of metal and metallic oxide ENPs in soils can increase hydraulic conductivity and soil porosity and reduce the distance between soil particles, as well as causing a variation in pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity (EC), redox potential (Eh), and soil organic matter (SOM) content. Furthermore, ENPs or the metal cations released from them in soils can interact with nutrients like phosphorus (P) forming complexes or precipitates, decreasing their bioavailability in the soil solution. The results depend on the soil properties and the doses, exposure duration, concentrations, and type of ENPs. Therefore, we suggest that particular attention should be paid to every kind of metal and metallic oxide ENPs deposited into the soil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials Ecotoxicity Evaluation)
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19 pages, 4856 KiB  
Review
Environmental Fate and Toxicity of Sunscreen-Derived Inorganic Ultraviolet Filters in Aquatic Environments: A Review
by Shengwu Yuan, Jingying Huang, Xia Jiang, Yuxiong Huang, Xiaoshan Zhu and Zhonghua Cai
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(4), 699; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12040699 - 19 Feb 2022
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 6334
Abstract
An increasing number of inorganic ultraviolet filters (UVFs), such as nanosized zinc oxide (nZnO) and titanium dioxide (nTiO2), are formulated in sunscreens because of their broad UV spectrum sunlight protection and because they limit skin damage. However, sunscreen-derived inorganic UVFs are [...] Read more.
An increasing number of inorganic ultraviolet filters (UVFs), such as nanosized zinc oxide (nZnO) and titanium dioxide (nTiO2), are formulated in sunscreens because of their broad UV spectrum sunlight protection and because they limit skin damage. However, sunscreen-derived inorganic UVFs are considered to be emerging contaminants; in particular, nZnO and nTiO2 UVFs have been shown to undergo absorption and bioaccumulation, release metal ions, and generate reactive oxygen species, which cause negative effects on aquatic organisms. We comprehensively reviewed the current study status of the environmental sources, occurrences, behaviors, and impacts of sunscreen-derived inorganic UVFs in aquatic environments. We find that the associated primary nanoparticle characteristics and coating materials significantly affect the environmental behavior and fate of inorganic UVFs. The consequential ecotoxicological risks and underlying mechanisms are discussed at the individual and trophic transfer levels. Due to their persistence and bioaccumulation, more attention and efforts should be redirected to investigating the sources, fate, and trophic transfer of inorganic UVFs in ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials Ecotoxicity Evaluation)
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