title: Fate and Characterization Factors of Nanoparticles in Seventeen Subcontinental Freshwaters: A Case Study on Copper Nanoparticles.
abstract: The lack of characterization factors (CFs) for engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) hampers the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology in evaluating the potential environmental impacts of nanomaterials. Here, the framework of the USEtox model has been selected to solve this problem. On the basis of colloid science, a fate model for ENPs has been developed to calculate the freshwater fate factor (FF) of ENPs. We also give the recommendations for using the hydrological data from the USEtox model. The functionality of our fate model is proved by comparing our computed results with the reported scenarios in North America, Switzerland, and Europe. As a case study, a literature survey of the nano-Cu toxicology values has been performed to calculate the effect factor (EF). Seventeen freshwater CFs of nano-Cu are proposed as recommended values for subcontinental regions. Depending on the regions and the properties of the ENPs, the region most likely to be affected by nano-Cu is Africa (CF of 11.11 × 10(3) CTUe, comparative toxic units) and the least likely is north Australia (CF of 3.87 × 10(3) CTUe). Furthermore, from the sensitivity analysis of the fate model, 13 input parameters (such as depth of freshwater, radius of ENPs) show vastly different degrees of influence on the outcomes. The characterization of suspended particles in freshwater and the dissolution rate of ENPs are two significant factors.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Nanotechnologie et d'Instrumentation Optique, Institute Charles Delaunay, Université de Technologie de Troyes, UMR CNRS 6281 , 12 Rue Marie-Curie CS 42060, 10004 Cedex Troyes, France.|Centre de Recherches et d'Etudes Interdisciplinaires sur le Développement Durable, Institute Charles Delaunay, Université de Technologie de Troyes, UMR CNRS 6281 , 12 Rue Marie-Curie CS 42060, 10004 Cedex Troyes, France.
authors.forename: Yubing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pu
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Nanotechnologie et d'Instrumentation Optique, Institute Charles Delaunay, Université de Technologie de Troyes, UMR CNRS 6281 , 12 Rue Marie-Curie CS 42060, 10004 Cedex Troyes, France.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Nanotechnologie et d'Instrumentation Optique, Institute Charles Delaunay, Université de Technologie de Troyes, UMR CNRS 6281 , 12 Rue Marie-Curie CS 42060, 10004 Cedex Troyes, France.
authors.forename: Pierre-Michel
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherches et d'Etudes Interdisciplinaires sur le Développement Durable, Institute Charles Delaunay, Université de Technologie de Troyes, UMR CNRS 6281 , 12 Rue Marie-Curie CS 42060, 10004 Cedex Troyes, France.
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Laratte
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Nanotechnologie et d'Instrumentation Optique, Institute Charles Delaunay, Université de Technologie de Troyes, UMR CNRS 6281 , 12 Rue Marie-Curie CS 42060, 10004 Cedex Troyes, France.
authors.forename: Rodica Elena
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Ionescu
mesh_terms: D003300:Copper; D005618:Fresh Water; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D053758:Nanoparticles; D049329:Nanostructures
chemical_list: D003300:Copper