Nanoparticles in the environment: where do we come from, where do we go to?

Abstract

Nanoparticles serve various industrial and domestic purposes which is reflected in their steadily increasing production volume. This economic success comes along with their presence in the environment and the risk of potentially adverse effects in natural systems. Over the last decade, substantial progress regarding the understanding of sources, fate, and effects of nanoparticles has been made. Predictions of environmental concentrations based on modelling approaches could recently be confirmed by measured concentrations in the field. Nonetheless, analytical techniques are, as covered elsewhere, still under development to more efficiently and reliably characterize and quantify nanoparticles, as well as to detect them in complex environmental matrixes. Simultaneously, the effects of nanoparticles on aquatic and terrestrial systems have received increasing attention. While the debate on the relevance of nanoparticle-released metal ions for their toxicity is still ongoing, it is a re-occurring phenomenon that inert nanoparticles are able to interact with biota through physical pathways such as biological surface coating. This among others interferes with the growth and behaviour of exposed organisms. Moreover, co-occurring contaminants interact with nanoparticles. There is multiple evidence suggesting nanoparticles as a sink for organic and inorganic co-contaminants. On the other hand, in the presence of nanoparticles, repeatedly an elevated effect on the test species induced by the co-contaminants has been reported. In this paper, we highlight recent achievements in the field of nano-ecotoxicology in both aquatic and terrestrial systems but also refer to substantial gaps that require further attention in the future.

Repeated oral dose toxicity study of nickel oxide nanoparticles in Wistar rats: a histological and biochemical perspective

“…An investigation performed on rats with Cu NPs depicted elevated levels of AST and ALT levels after 28 days of repeated oral treatment, which concurred with the present study (Lee et al, ). Similarly, studies conducted with metal oxide NPs upon repeated oral exposure are in accordance with the data obtained in this investigation (Chinde & Grover, ; Mangalampalli, Dumala, Perumalla Venkata, & Grover, ).…”

Metal Nanoparticles in Surface Waters – a Risk to Aquatic Organisms

“…Based on the life cycle assessment, attempts were made to identify potential sources of emissions and environmental risks associated with the use of nanoparticles [3][4][5] (Figure 1).…”

“…Nanoparticles ZnO antibacterial toothpastes / antybakteryjne pasty do zębów [28] creams, lotions as a material that absorbs UV radiation, used for cancer therapy (nanocapsules used to transport drugs in the body), dental materials as a fraction of a dental composite, coatings of medical materials (antibacterial properties, effectively reducing the possibility of infection by bacteria, e.g. Cu water treatment / oczyszczanie wody [32] antibacterial and antifouling agent used in water purification / środek przeciwbakteryjny i przeciwporostowy stosowany w oczyszczaniu wody [47] Fe2O3 factor for removing metals from soil and water / adsorbent do usuwania metali z gleby i wody [54] ZnO solar farm, production of solar cells with ZnO NPs / fotowoltaika, produkcja ogniw słonecznych z nZnO [55][56][57] Car industry / Przemysł [4][5]. In addition, they exhibit an increasingly complex structure, which influences their physicochemical and biological activity, and thereby the way they impact organisms.…”

Use of Nanoparticles for the Disinfection of Desalinated Water

“…The approach used to carry on the antimicrobial assessment in this study was based on application of the NPs in a batch suspension mode for the two water types. Because of the potential health risk associated with the presence of NPs in drinking water [17,18], the adopted approach in this study was solely intended for evaluation purposes. From an application perspective, NPs could be dosed in the water at a concentration that does not pose a health concern or they could be impregnated on supporting materials, such as graphene oxide [19], activated carbon [20,21], polyvinyl chitosan hydrogel [22], or others.…”