Abstract
Although doping of various rare earth elements such as samarium on zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) can noticeably improve their photocatalytic performance, it may enhance their toxicity to living organisms. Thus, the toxic impacts of samarium-doped ZnO NPs (Sm/ZnO NPs) on different organisms should be carefully evaluated. In this study, an eco-toxicological experimentation system using the green microalga Chlorella vulgaris was established to determine the potential toxicity of ZnO and Sm/ZnO NPs synthesized by polymer pyrolysis method. Accordingly, growth parameters, oxidative stress biomarkers, and morphological features of the algal cells were analyzed. Both ZnO and Sm/ZnO NPs induced a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity by reducing the cell growth, decreasing photosynthetic pigment contents, and causing deformation in the cellular morphology. Moreover, generation of excessive H2O2, increased activity of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase, and reduction in total phenolic and flavonoid contents were observed. Catalase activity was inversely influenced by the NPs in a way that its activity significantly increased at the concentrations of 20 and 25 mg L−1 of ZnO NPs, but was lessened by all supplemented dosages (5–25 mg L−1) of Sm/ZnO NPs. Altogether, the obtained results revealed that Sm-doping can play a significant role in ZnO NP-induced toxicity on C. vulgaris cells.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank the University of Tabriz (Iran) for scientific and financial supports. They are also grateful to Dr. N. Farsad for his help in the statistical data analysis.
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S. Feizi, M. Kosari-Nasab, and A. Movafeghi designed the experiments. S. Feizi conducted the experiments. B. Divband helped in the synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles. M. Kosari-Nasab and A. Movafeghi controlled the methodology of microalgae culture and bioassays. S. Mahjouri and A. Movafeghi contributed to the data analysis, writing, review, and editing of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Feizi, S., Kosari-Nasab, M., Divband, B. et al. Comparison of the toxicity of pure and samarium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles to the green microalga Chlorella vulgaris. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 32002–32015 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-18539-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-18539-x