Abstract
For years, nanotechnologies have developed the use of common materials, such as iron or silica, at an extremely small scale because of their new properties (reactivity, conductivity, optical sensitivity). More precisely, gold nanoparticles are used in numerous technologies such as electronics, new paints or research on cancer. But, despite their promising future and expansive utilization, only a few studies deal with their behaviors or impacts on the environment. Thus, we decided to explore the impacts of amine-coated 10nm gold nanoparticle (AuNp) contaminations on two freshwater aquatic models. The green algaScenedesmus subspicatus was submitted to 24 h-direct exposures at four AuNp concentrations (1.6×102, 1.6×103, 1.6×104 and 1.6×105 AuNp/cell) along with a control condition. The process used for the freshwater bivalvesCorbicula fluminea was a trophic exposure during 7 days to three AuNp concentrations (1.6×103, 1.6×104 and 1.6×105 AuNp/cell). These conditions were tested in triplicate with controls. For these experiments, OD measurements (γ= 520nm) were performed to verify AuNp concentrations in the water (stability). Cell numerations of algae were used to determine the growth/mortality effects on this species. Cellular impacts and AuNp distributions in the two species were revealed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The bioaccumulation rates were assessed by gold dosagesvia MS-ICP procedures. Molecular impacts were analyzed by quantifications of metallothionein concentrations (metal detoxification protein) and genetic expressions via real-time RT-PCR. Our study focused on the expression of six genes encoding proteins involved in: metal detoxification (metallothionein), the response to oxidative stress (catalase and superoxide-dismutase), the mitochondrial respiratory chain (subunit 1 of the cytochrome-C-oxidase), the concentration of mitochondria (RNA12s) and the response to xenobiotics (glutathione S transferase); using the β-actin as reference of the basal rates of gene expressions.
The results showed a marked impact on the algae after a 24h-exposure to amine-coated 10nm gold nanoparticles, leading to 20% of mortality for the lowest contamination condition, while the highest one reached 50%. TEM examinations showed that AuNp were strongly adsorbed by the cell wall of algae, leading to progressive intracellular and wall disturbances. The bivalve contaminations revealed the ability of these particles to be bioaccumulated and to penetrate gills and digestive epithelia. Their lysosomial localization leads to the loss of their coating, which brought on an oxidative stress.
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Sophie RENAULT is a PhD student who works on the “Eco-toxicological study of the metallic contamination of European eels living in the Gironde estuary” in the context of the National Research Agency’s program: EEL-scope. She received her Masters in Ecological Systems at the University Bordeaux 1 while she worked on the toxicity of gold nanoparticles on aquatic organisms at the physiological, biochemical and genetic scales.
Magalie BAUDRIMONT received her PhD in Ecotoxicology at the University Bordeaux 1 in 1997. She is currently Associate Professor from the University Bordeaux 1 at the Marine Station of Arcachon. Her research concerns the cellular mechanisms of metals detoxification and the adaptative response of aquatic organisms at the physiological, biochemical and genetic scales.
Nathalie MESMER-DUDONS is an assistant Ingenieur specialized in methods of light and electronic microscopy in marine organisms. She has been titular of professional licence in Electronic Microscopy and Cellular Cultures at the university Bordeaux 1 since 1990.
Patrice GONZALEZ received his Ph.D. in molecular biology and genetics at the University of Bordeaux 2 in 1999. He is currently researcher at the French National Center for Scientific Research at the marine station of Arcachon. His research focuses on the molecular and genetic effects of metallic pollution on aquatic organisms and their adaptative response.
Stéphane MORNET received his Ph.D. in physico-chemistry of condensed matter at the University Bordeaux 1 in 2002. He is currently researcher at the Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry. At the interface of chemistry and biology, his research focuses on the synthesis of magnetic, metallic and luminescent nanoparticles, their surface functionalization and conjugation with biomolecules for imaging and therapy purposes.
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Renault, S., Baudrimont, M., Mesmer-Dudons, N. et al. Impacts of gold nanoparticle exposure on two freshwater species: a phytoplanktonic alga (Scenedesmus subspicatus) and a benthic bivalve (Corbicula fluminea). Gold Bull 41, 116–126 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03216589
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03216589