title: Toxicity and transfer of polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated silver nanowires in an aquatic food chain consisting of algae, water fleas, and zebrafish.
abstract: Nanomaterials of various shapes and dimensions are widely used in the medical, chemical, and electronic industries. Multiple studies have reported the ecotoxicological effects of nanaoparticles when released in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems; however, information on the toxicity of silver nanowires (AgNWs) to freshwater organisms and their transfer through the food webs is limited. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the toxicity of 10- and 20-μm-long AgNWs to the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the water flea Daphnia magna, and the zebrafish and study their movement through this three-species food chain using a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods as well as optical techniques. We found that AgNWs directly inhibited the growth of algae and destroyed the digestive organs of water fleas. The results showed that longer AgNWs (20μm) were more toxic than shorter ones (10μm) to both algae and water fleas, but shorter AgNWs were accumulated more than longer ones in the body of the fish. Overall, this study suggests that AgNWs are transferred through food chains, and that they affect organisms at higher trophic levels, potentially including humans. Therefore, further studies that take into account environmental factors, food web complexity, and differences between nanomaterials are required to gain better understanding of the impact of nanomaterials on natural communities and human health.
authors: Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
authors: Yooeun
authors: Y
authors: Chae
authors: Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: anyjoo@konkuk.ac.kr.
authors: Youn-Joo
authors: YJ
authors: An
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016825:Chlamydomonas reinhardtii / Q000187:drug effects*; D003621:Daphnia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D020387:Food Chain; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects; D053770:Nanowires / Q000633:toxicity*; D010316:Particle Size; D011205:Povidone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D012834:Silver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D012834:Silver; D011205:Povidone
keywords: Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; Danio rerio; Daphnia magna; Ecotoxicity; Nanowire