Limit-test toxicity screening of selected inorganic nanoparticles to the earthworm Eisenia fetida.
The toxicity of a range of inorganic (Ag, Cu, Ni, Al(2)O(3), SiO(2), TiO(2) and ZrO(2)) nanoparticles (NP) and their corresponding metal salt or bulk metal oxide were screened for toxicity toward the earthworm Eisenia fetida using the limit-test design (1000 mg/kg). This study provides the first ecotoxicological life history trait data on earthworms for each these NPs, as well as for AgNO(3), Al(2)O(3), SiO(2), TiO(2) and ZrO(2). Significant effects were observed on survival for AgNO(3) (2.5% of controls), CuCl(2) (17.5% of controls) and NiCl(2) (32.5% of controls) and on reproduction (AgNO(3), CuCl(2), NiCl(2), Ag-NP, Cu-NP, TiO(2)-NP); with total reproductive failure in both silver treatments. Ag-NP, Cu-NP and TiO(2)-NP were the only NPs that caused toxic effects to E. fetida. The toxicity could not be singularly related to particle size or zeta potential or to the inherent element constituting the NPs (e.g. Ag).
Department of Terrestrial Ecology, National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University, Po Box 314, Vejlsøvej 25, 8600, Silkeborg, Denmark.
Lars-Henrik
LH
Heckmann
Mads B
MB
Hovgaard
Duncan S
DS
Sutherland
Herman
H
Autrup
Flemming
F
Besenbacher
Janeck J
JJ
Scott-Fordsmand
D000818:Animals; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000187:drug effects*; D010316:Particle Size; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D018675:Toxicity Tests
D012989:Soil Pollutants