Graphene family nanomaterials (GFNs), including graphene, graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and graphene quantum dots (GQDs), have manifold potential applications, leading to the possibility of their release into environments and the exposure to humans and other organisms. However, the genotoxicity of GFNs on DNA remains largely unknown. In this review, we highlight the interactions between DNA and GFNs and summarize the mechanisms of genotoxicity induced by GFNs. Generally, the genotoxicity can be sub-classified into direct genotoxicity and indirect genotoxicity. The direct genotoxicity (e.g., direct physical nucleus and DNA damage) and indirect genotoxicity mechanisms (e.g., physical destruction, oxidative stress, epigenetic toxicity, and DNA replication) of GFNs were summarized in the manuscript, respectively. Moreover, the influences factors, such as physicochemical properties, exposure dose, and time, on the genotoxicity of GFNs are also briefly discussed. Given the important role of genotoxicity in GFNs exposure risk assessment, future research should be conducted on the following: (1) developing reliable testing methods; (2) elucidating the response mechanisms associated with genotoxicity in depth; and (3) enriching the evaluation database regarding the type of GFNs, applied dosages, and exposure times.

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Nanocolloids (Ncs) are highly dispersed mixtures of nanoscale (1–100 nm) heterogeneous systems, which are ubiquitous in aquatic environments. Ncs are considered a vital pollutant carrier due to their special surface properties and unique hydrodynamic characteristics. They play an essential role in the process of promoting pollutant migration and transformation. In recent years, with the increase in chemicals in the environment and the complexity of environmental pollution, the health threats of Ncs in ecological systems are arousing great concerning. Therefore, recent work to characterize the ecotoxicity of Ncs has focused on the potential environmental health implications, including exploration of toxicity to aquatic organisms from a wide range of the ecosystem food webs. Herein, we summarize the formation, distribution, and characterization of natural Ncs in the marine environments. Moreover, we highlight the adverse impacts of Ncs on representatives of various trophic levels aquatic organisms (e.g., algae, bacteria, invertebrates, and fish). The mechanisms of Ncs ecotoxicity at the cellular level are reviewed, and the remaining unclear points on toxic tools such as oxidative damage and metabolic disorder are presented. We also discuss the research challenges and future developments within the field of ecotoxicity. This study will bridge our knowledge gap on the ecotoxicity of Ncs.

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