title: Nanomaterials in the aquatic environment: A European Union-United States perspective on the status of ecotoxicity testing, research priorities, and challenges ahead.
abstract: The European Union-United States Communities of Research were established in 2012 to provide a platform for scientists to develop a "shared repertoire of protocols and methods to overcome nanotechnology environmental health and safety (nanoEHS) research gaps and barriers" (www.us-eu.org/). Based on work within the Ecotoxicology Community of Research (2012-2015) the present Focus article provides an overview of the state of the art of nanomaterials (NMs) in the aquatic environment by addressing different research questions, with a focus on ecotoxicological test systems and the challenges faced when assessing NM hazards (e.g., uptake routes, bioaccumulation, toxicity, test protocols, and model organisms). The authors' recommendation is to place particular importance on studying the ecological effects of aged/weathered NMs, as-manufactured NMs, and NMs released from consumer products in addressing the following overarching research topics: 1) NM characterization and quantification in environmental and biological matrices; 2) NM transformation in the environment and consequences for bioavailability and toxicity; 3) alternative methods to assess exposure; 4) influence of exposure scenarios on bioavailability and toxicity; 5) development of more environmentally realistic bioassays; and 6) uptake, internal distribution, and depuration of NMs. Research addressing these key topics will reduce uncertainty in ecological risk assessment and support the sustainable development of nanotechnology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Henriette
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Selck
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Plymouth University, Plymouth, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Handy
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Teresa F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Toxicology, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA.|Water Research Group (Ecotoxicology), Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Klaine
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Elijah J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Petersen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D005062:European Union; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000633:toxicity*; D012106:Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants
keywords: Ecotoxicology; Nano; Nanomaterial; Sediment; Water