title: Adaptive interactions between zinc oxide nanoparticles and Chlorella sp.
abstract: The effects of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) interacting with single-celled green algae, Chlorella sp., have been found to be bilateral. Specifically, our electron microscopy, plant cell, and fluorescence assays showed that the adsorption and aggregation of ZnO NPs compromised algal cell morphology, viability, and membrane integrity, resulting from zinc ion dissolution as well as possible mechanical cell damage induced by the NPs. Conversely, algal cells displayed a remarkable capability of self-protection by minimizing their surface area through aggregation mediated by the oppositely charged metal ions and suppressing zinc ion release from the NPs through exudation, as evidenced by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, zeta potential, and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. This study illustrates the adaptive nature and complexity in potential ecological response to discharged nanomaterials.
authors.affiliation: Nano-Biophysics and Soft Matter Lab, COMSET, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, USA.
authors.forename: Pengyu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mortimer
authors.forename: Pu Chun
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ke
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000327:Adsorption; D002708:Chlorella / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D015034:Zinc Oxide