Nano-sized particles are important components of the Earth biogeochemical system. However, in the Anthropocene, the human activities disturbed their natural cycle and increased their abundance by (i) affecting their emissions and releases; (ii) altering the environmental processes involving nanoparticles; and (iii) introducing anthropogenic nanoparticles. Intentionally or unintentionally released, the occurrence of the anthropogenic particles in the environment is continuously rising. Both natural and anthropogenic nanoparticles are recognized as important carriers for trace elements and organic micropollutants and key modifiers of their transport, speciation, bioavailability and effects in the environment. Nevertheless, currently they are considered separately, despite the necessity of more integrated, broader and non-sectorial perspective taking together particles of different origins and various processes likely to generate and involve them. The present paper provides a perspective on the environmental processes involving anthropogenic and natural nanoparticles; discusses the role of human activities in nanoparticle cycling, as well as the necessity to bridge the divide between the natural and anthropogenic nanoparticles. The discussion will be supported by the examples of our own research to ask, if there is still a frontier between natural and anthropogenic nanoparticles?

/pdf/natural-nanoparticles-anthropogenic-nanoparticles-where-is-4dxcr5sffc.pdf

Natural Nanoparticles, Anthropogenic Nanoparticles, Where Is the Frontier?

The rapid development of nanomaterials (NMs) and the emergence of new multicomponent NMs will inevitably lead to simultaneous exposure of organisms to multiple engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) at varying exposure levels. Understanding the joint impacts of multiple ENPs and predicting the toxicity of mixtures of ENPs are therefore evidently of importance. We reviewed the toxicity of mixtures of ENPs to a variety of different species, covering algae, bacteria, daphnia, fish, fungi, insects, and plants. Most studies used the independent-action (IA)-based model to assess the type of joint effects. Using co-occurrence networks, it was revealed that 53% of the cases with specific joint response showed antagonistic, 25% synergistic, and 22% additive effects. The combination of nCuO and nZnO exhibited the strongest interactions in each type of joint interaction. Compared with other species, plants exposed to multiple ENPs were more likely to experience antagonistic effects. The main factors influencing the joint response type of the mixtures were (1) the chemical composition of individual components in mixtures, (2) the stability of suspensions of mixed ENPs, (3) the type and trophic level of the individual organisms tested, (4) the biological level of organization (population, communities, ecosystems), (5) the exposure concentrations and time, (6) the endpoint of toxicity, and (7) the abiotic field conditions (e.g., pH, ionic strength, natural organic matter). This knowledge is critical in developing efficient strategies for the assessment of the hazards induced by combined exposure to multiple ENPs in complex environments. In addition, this knowledge of the joint effects of multiple ENPs assists in the effective prediction of hybrid NMs.

Review and Prospects on the Ecotoxicity of Mixtures of Nanoparticles and Hybrid Nanomaterials

Emerging trends in nanoparticle toxicity and the significance of using Daphnia as a model organism.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the most used engineered nanomaterials. Despite progress in assessing their environmental implications, knowledge gaps exist concerning the metabolic perturbations induced by AgNPs on phytoplankton, essential organisms in global biogeochemical cycles and food-web dynamics. We combine targeted metabolomics, biouptake and physiological response studies to elucidate metabolic perturbations in alga Poterioochromonas malhamensis induced by AgNPs and dissolved Ag. We show time-dependent perturbation of the metabolism of amino acids, nucleotides, fatty acids, tricarboxylic acids, photosynthesis and photorespiration by both Ag-treatments. The results suggest that dissolved Ag ions released by AgNPs are the major toxicity driver; however, AgNPs internalized in food vacuoles contributed to the perturbation of amino acid metabolism, TCA cycle and oxidative stress. The metabolic perturbations corroborate the observed physiological responses. We highlight the potential of metabolomics as a tool for understanding the molecular basis for these metabolic and physiological changes, and for early detection of stress.

/pdf/metabolomics-for-early-detection-of-stress-in-freshwater-2ulpt07x9c.pdf

Metabolomics for early detection of stress in freshwater alga Poterioochromonas malhamensis exposed to silver nanoparticles

Noble metal nanoparticles in agriculture: impacts on plants, associated microorganisms, and biotechnological practices.

In aquatic environment, engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) are present as complex mixtures with other pollutants, such as trace metals, which could result in synergism, additivity or antagonism of their combined effects. Despite the fact that the toxicity and environmental risk of the ENPs have received extensive attention in the recent years, the interactions of ENPs with other pollutants and the consequent effects on aquatic organisms represent an important challenge in (nano)ecotoxicology. The present review provides an overview of the state-of-the-art and critically discusses the existing knowledge on combined effects of mixtures of ENPs and metallic pollutants on aquatic organisms. The specific emphasis is on the adsorption of metallic pollutants on metal-containing ENPs, transformation and bioavailability of ENPs and metallic pollutants in mixtures. Antagonistic, additive and synergistic effects observed in aquatic organisms co-exposed to ENPs and metallic pollutants are discussed in the case of “particle-proof” and “particle-ingestive” organisms. This knowledge is important in developing efficient strategies for sound environmental impact assessment of mixture exposure in complex environments.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3298/7/4/27/pdf

Effects of Mixtures of Engineered Nanoparticles and Metallic Pollutants on Aquatic Organisms

The present review critically examines the state-of-the-art of the research concerning the likely environmental implications of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) with specific emphasis on their interactions with phytoplankton in the aquatic environment. Phytoplankton plays a key role in the global carbon cycle and contributes to the half of the global primary production, thus representing some of the Earth ' s most critical organisms making the life on our planet possible. With examples from our own research and the literature, we illustrate what happens when aquatic organisms are unintentionally exposed to metal-containing ENPs, which are increasingly released into the environment from nano-enabled materials. We highlight the complexity of the ENPs behavior in the aquatic environment and focus on the three key steps of the bioavailability process: exposure availability, uptake availability and toxico-availability. The influence of the phytoplankton on the ENPs fate in the aquatic environment is discussed, too.

/pdf/when-environmental-chemistry-meets-ecotoxicology-1ni3bvpfay.pdf

When Environmental Chemistry Meets Ecotoxicology: Bioavailability of Inorganic Nanoparticles to Phytoplankton.

NanoTiO2 materials mitigate mercury uptake and effects on green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in mixture exposure.

A density gradient centrifugation method for rapid separation of nanoTiO2 and TiO2 aggregates from microalgal cells in complex mixtures with mercury.

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Papers

Effects of Mixtures of Engineered Nanoparticles and Metallic Pollutants on Aquatic Organisms

When Environmental Chemistry Meets Ecotoxicology: Bioavailability of Inorganic Nanoparticles to Phytoplankton.

NanoTiO2 materials mitigate mercury uptake and effects on green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in mixture exposure.

A density gradient centrifugation method for rapid separation of nanoTiO2 and TiO2 aggregates from microalgal cells in complex mixtures with mercury.