title: Environmental behavior and ecotoxicity of engineered nanoparticles to algae, plants, and fungi.
abstract: Developments in nanotechnology are leading to a rapid proliferation of new materials that are likely to become a source of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) to the environment, where their possible ecotoxicological impacts remain unknown. The surface properties of ENPs are of essential importance for their aggregation behavior, and thus for their mobility in aquatic and terrestrial systems and for their interactions with algae, plants and, fungi. Interactions of ENPs with natural organic matter have to be considered as well, as those will alter the ENPs aggregation behavior in surface waters or in soils. Cells of plants, algae, and fungi possess cell walls that constitute a primary site for interaction and a barrier for the entrance of ENPs. Mechanisms allowing ENPs to pass through cell walls and membranes are as yet poorly understood. Inside cells, ENPs might directly provoke alterations of membranes and other cell structures and molecules, as well as protective mechanisms. Indirect effects of ENPs depend on their chemical and physical properties and may include physical restraints (clogging effects), solubilization of toxic ENP compounds, or production of reactive oxygen species. Many questions regarding the bioavailability of ENPs, their uptake by algae, plants, and fungi and the toxicity mechanisms remain to be elucidated.
authors.affiliation: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), Ueberlandstrasse 133, Dubendorf 8600, Switzerland. enrique.navarro@eawag.ch
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baun
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Behra
authors.forename: Nanna B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Juliane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Filser
authors.forename: Ai-Jun
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Miao
authors.forename: Antonietta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quigg
authors.forename: Peter H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Santschi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sigg
mesh_terms: D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000187:drug effects*; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D010944:Plants / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants