title: Physiological changes of the lichen Parmotrema tinctorum as result of carbon nanotubes exposition.
abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNT) is one of the more abundant nanomaterial produced in the world. Therefore, it is desirable to access its effects in all environment compartments, in order to mitigate environmental distress. This study aims to verify the potential use of lichens - classical atmospheric pollution indicators - as biomonitors of carbon nanotubes aerosols. To examine cause-effect relationships, preserving environmental microclimatic parameters, the lichen Parmotrema tinctorum (Nyl.) Hale was transplanted to open top chambers where aerosols of CNT were daily added. Physiological parameters such as cell viability, photosynthetic efficiency, cell permeability as well as nanoparticle internalization were assessed. Carbon nanotubes exposure led to reduction on the cell viability of P. tinctorum. The treatment with 100µg/mL of MWCNT-COOH resulted in intracellular ion leakage, probably due to changes in membrane permeability. No alterations on photosynthetic efficiency were detected. Carbon nanotubes entrapment and internalization into the lichen thallus were observed. Short term exposition of CNT produced measurable physiological changes in P. tinctorum lichen. This suggests the possibility of use of lichens as models to assess the environmental impact (air related) of engineered nanomaterials.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais CEP 31270-901, Brazil. Electronic address: camilaoviana@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Camila de O
authors.initials: Cde O
authors.lastname: Viana
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais CEP 31270-901, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raissa P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Vaz
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais CEP 31270-901, Brazil.
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cano
authors.affiliation: Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear (CDTN/CNEN), Belo Horizonte, MG CEP 30123-970, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adelina P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais CEP 31270-901, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Cançado
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais CEP 31270-901, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Ladeira
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais CEP 31270-901, Brazil. Electronic address: a_correa@icb.ufmg.br.
authors.forename: Ary Corrêa
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Junior
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000633:toxicity; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D008011:Lichens / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000633:toxicity; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D052638:Particulate Matter
keywords: Ecotoxicology; Nanoecotoxicology; Nanoparticles; Parmotrema tinctorum