title: Environmentally relevant approaches to assess nanoparticles ecotoxicity: a review.
abstract: Despite the increasing production and use of nanoparticles (NPs), there is a lack of knowledge about their environmental fate and ecotoxicity. Studies in environmentally relevant conditions are necessary to better assess these parameters, but such studies are rather rare. The present work represents first time that studies on engineered NPs using environmentally relevant exposure methods have been reviewed. These exposure methods differ from standardized protocols and can be classified into three groups: experimental trophic chains that allow study of the trophic route, multi-species exposures under laboratory conditions that allow for complex but controlled exposure and outdoor exposures that are more similar to environmentally realistic conditions. The majority of studies of micro- or mesocosms have focused on NP partitioning and bioaccumulation. The other major parameter that has been studied is NP ecotoxicity, which has been assessed in single species, in single species via the trophic route, and at the community level. The induction of biochemical defense systems, immunomodulation, effects on growth and reproduction, behavioral alterations and mortality have been used as indicators of major toxicity, depending on the species studied. The major effects of NPs on both microbial and algal communities include modifications of community compositions and diversities, decreased biomass and changes in community activities.
authors.affiliation: Université de Toulouse; UPS, INP; EcoLab (Laboratoire d'écologie fonctionnelle et environnement); ENSAT, Avenue de l'Agrobiopôle, F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France; CNRS; EcoLab (Laboratoire d'écologie fonctionnelle et environnement), F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France.
authors.forename: Agathe
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bour
authors.affiliation: Université de Toulouse; UPS, INP; EcoLab (Laboratoire d'écologie fonctionnelle et environnement); ENSAT, Avenue de l'Agrobiopôle, F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France; CNRS; EcoLab (Laboratoire d'écologie fonctionnelle et environnement), F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France.
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mouchet
authors.affiliation: Université de Toulouse; UPS, INP; EcoLab (Laboratoire d'écologie fonctionnelle et environnement); ENSAT, Avenue de l'Agrobiopôle, F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France; CNRS; EcoLab (Laboratoire d'écologie fonctionnelle et environnement), F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France.
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Silvestre
authors.affiliation: Université de Toulouse; UPS, INP; EcoLab (Laboratoire d'écologie fonctionnelle et environnement); ENSAT, Avenue de l'Agrobiopôle, F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France; CNRS; EcoLab (Laboratoire d'écologie fonctionnelle et environnement), F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France.
authors.forename: Laury
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gauthier
authors.affiliation: Université de Toulouse; UPS, INP; EcoLab (Laboratoire d'écologie fonctionnelle et environnement); ENSAT, Avenue de l'Agrobiopôle, F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France; CNRS; EcoLab (Laboratoire d'écologie fonctionnelle et environnement), F-31326 Castanet-Tolosan, France. Electronic address: pinelli@ensat.fr.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pinelli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria; D017377:Diatoms; D054750:Ecotoxicology / Q000379:methods*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D020387:Food Chain; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D010944:Plants; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Ecotoxicity; Environmental conditions; Mesocosms; Nanoparticles; Trophic chain