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Zinc oxide–engineered nanoparticles: Dissolution and toxicity to marine phytoplankton
Author(s) -
Miao AiJun,
Zhang XueYin,
Luo Zhiping,
Chen ChiShuo,
Chin WeiChun,
Santschi Peter H.,
Quigg Antonietta
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.340
Subject(s) - zinc , phytoplankton , dissolution , environmental chemistry , nanoparticle , toxicity , nanotoxicology , environmental science , chemistry , nanotechnology , ecology , biology , materials science , organic chemistry , nutrient
It is now widely recognized that dissolution plays an important role in metallic nanoparticle toxicity, but to what extent remains unclear. In the present study, it was found that ZnO‐engineered nanoparticle (ZnO‐EN) toxicity to the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana could be solely explained by zinc ion (Zn 2+ ) release. This is based on comparable inhibitive effects from ZnO‐EN addition media, with or without the ultrafiltration through a 3‐kD membrane, and from the media in which only Zn 2+ was added. Considering the importance of dissolution in ZnO‐EN toxicity, Zn 2+ release kinetics was systematically examined under different conditions for the first time. It was found to be mainly influenced by pH as well as the specific surface area of the nanoparticles. In contrast, natural organic compounds either enhance or reduce Zn 2+ release, depending on their chemical composition and concentration. Compared with deionized water, ZnO‐EN dissolution rates were accelerated in seawater, whereas ZnO‐EN concentration itself only had a very small effect on Zn 2+ release. Therefore, dissolution as affected by several physicochemical factors should not be neglected in the effects, behavior, and fate of ENs in the environment. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:2814–2822. © 2010 SETAC