Transfer of Cobalt Nanoparticles in a Simplified Food Web: From Algae to Zooplankton to Fish

Abstract

Cobalt (Co) nanoparticles (NPs) may be diffusely dispersed into natural ecosystems from various anthropogenic sources such as traffic settings and eventually end up in aquatic systems. As environmentally dispersed Co NPs may be transferred through an aquatic food web, this study investigated this transfer from algae (Scendesmus sp.) to zooplankton (Daphnia magna) to fish (Crucian carp, Carassius carassius). Effects of interactions between naturally excreted biomolecules from D. magna and Co NPs were investigated from an environmental fate perspective. ATR-FTIR measurements showed the adsorption of both algae constituents and excreted biomolecules onto the Co NPs. Less than 5% of the Co NPs formed heteroagglomerates with algae, partly an effect of both agglomeration and settling of the Co NPs. The presence of excreted biomolecules in the solution did not affect the extent of heteroagglomeration. Despite the low extent of heteroagglomeration between Co NPs and algae, the Co NPs were transferred to the next trophic level (D. magna). The Co uptake in D. magna was 300 times larger than the control samples (without Co NP), which were not influenced by the addition of excreted biomolecules to the solution. Significant uptake of Co was observed in the intestine of the fish feeding on D. magna containing Co NPs. No bioaccumulation of Co was observed in the fish. Moreover, 10–20% of the transferred Co NP mass was dissolved after 24 h in the simulated gut solution of the zooplankton (pH 7), and 50–60% was dissolved in the simulated gut solution of the fish (pH 4). The results elucidate that Co NPs gain different properties upon trophic transfer in the food web. Risk assessments should hence be conducted on transformed and weathered NPs rather than on pristine particles.

Arthrospira platensis nanoparticles dietary supplementation improves growth performance, steroid hormone balance, and reproductive productivity of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock

“…Nanotechnology applications have been successfully increased [ 66 – 68 ]. Algae nanoparticle applications in aqua feed diets also increased due to their high of their high surface area of nanoparticles [ 69 ] which enhances growth performance, feed utilization, body composition, stress tolerance, and enhanced immune system for many species such as Nile tilapia [ 42 , 70 ], Pacific white shrimp [ 42 ], black tiger shrimp [ 57 ], and Zebrafish [ 71 ]. The current study aims to evaluate the effect of the cyanobacterium species, Arthrospira platensis NIOF17/003 nanoparticles, as a functional feed additive on growth performances, whole-body biochemical composition, blood biochemistry, steroid hormonal status, and seeds production efficiency for the Nile tilapia broodstock during the spawning cycle.…”

Single-Particle ICP-MS/MS Application for Routine Screening of Nanoparticles Present in Powder-Based Facial Cosmetics

“…Studies have shown that NPs enter aquatic environments through many sources including runoff, industrial applications and atmospheric deposition [24]. Once in the marine environment, NPs can move laterally and vertically, potentially adsorbing to organic matter [25][26][27][28], zooplankton [29,30], and other organisms [31].…”

Effect of Exposure Concentration and Growth Conditions on the Association of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles with Green Algae

“…Multiple publications have shown that NP-EPS interaction occurs though it remains unclear whether NP exposure induces EPS production, e.g., as a stress response or whether the EPS production mediates shedding of NPs from the algal cell. Nevertheless, EPS is believed to play a vital role in the bioaccumulation behavior and toxicity of NPs, hence also in their potential for trophic transfer [10,11].…”