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The impact of morphology and size of zinc oxide nanoparticles on its toxicity to the freshwater microalga, Raphidocelis subcapitata

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Abstract

Microalgae are key test organisms to assess the effects of chemicals on aquatic ecosystems. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) as a widely used metal oxide is considered a potential threat to these primary producers at the base of the food chain. This study investigates the toxicity of ZnO NPs, bulk ZnO, and Zn2+ to the representative of freshwater microalgae, Raphidocelis subcapitata. To examine the effect of shape and size of nanoparticles, two types of spherical ZnO NPs with different sizes (20 and 40 nm) and two types of rod-shaped ZnO NPs with different lengths (100 and 500 nm) were synthesized. Microalgal cells were exposed to eight concentrations of each ZnO NP type from 0.01 to 0.7 mg/L for 96 h. The results showed that 0.7 mg/L of ZnO NP could completely inhibit algal growth. Size did not interfere with toxicity in spherical ZnO NPs, but the toxicity decreased by increasing the size of rod-shaped ZnO NPs. Spherical ZnO NPs acted more destructive to microalgal cells than nanorod shape. The addition of 0.7 mg/L of ZnO nanorods to samples caused 30% cell death, while 50% cell death was observed by adding the same concentration of nanospherical ZnO. Nano ZnO revealed to be more toxic than bulk ZnO and Zn2+. The Zn2+ released from dissolution of ZnO NPs was one of the sources of toxicity, but the ZnO nanostructures were also an important factor in the toxicity.

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Acknowledgements

The results were extracted from the PhD thesis of Mahya Samei (Faculty of Chemical Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran).

Funding

This study was financially supported by grants from University of Tehran and Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UNESCO Chair on Water Reuse, School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 11155-4563, Tehran, Iran

    Mahya Samei & Mohammad-Hossein Sarrafzadeh

  2. Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 14155-6451, Tehran, 1417614411, Iran

    Mohammad Ali Faramarzi

Authors
  1. Mahya Samei
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  2. Mohammad-Hossein Sarrafzadeh
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  3. Mohammad Ali Faramarzi
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Correspondence to Mohammad-Hossein Sarrafzadeh or Mohammad Ali Faramarzi.

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Responsible editor: Thomas D. Bucheli

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Samei, M., Sarrafzadeh, MH. & Faramarzi, M.A. The impact of morphology and size of zinc oxide nanoparticles on its toxicity to the freshwater microalga, Raphidocelis subcapitata. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 2409–2420 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3787-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3787-z

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