title: Size dependent bioaccumulation and ecotoxicity of gold nanoparticles in an endobenthic invertebrate: the Tellinid clam Scrobicularia plana.
abstract: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have important technological applications resulting in an increased potential for release to the environment, and a greater possibility of toxicological effects. The marine bivalve Scrobicularia plana was exposed to AuNPs of size 5, 15 and 40 nm during a 16 d laboratory exposure at 100 μg Au L(-1). After exposure to AuNPs forming aggregates (>700 nm), the clams accumulated Au in their soft tissues. Biochemical (biomarkers) and behavioral (burrowing and feeding) responses were investigated. Au NPs were responsible of metallothionein induction (5, 40 nm), increased activities of catalase (15, 40 nm) and superoxide dismutase (40 nm) and of glutathione S-transferase by the three sizes of AuNPs indicating defense against oxidative stress. Exposure to AuNPs impaired burrowing behavior. However, it must be underlined that these effects were observed at a dose much higher than expected in the environment.
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
authors.forename: Jin-Fen
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Pierre-Emmanuel
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Buffet
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Poirier
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Amiard-Triquet
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gilliland
authors.forename: Yolaine
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Joubert
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pilet
authors.forename: Marielle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guibbolini
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Risso de Faverney
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roméo
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Valsami-Jones
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mouneyrac
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D049872:Bivalvia; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D006046:Gold / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D006046:Gold; D008668:Metallothionein; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase