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Impact of heavy metals and nanoparticles on aquatic biota

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Abstract

Human activities such as industrialisation, urbanisation and agriculture have adversely impacted terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Water pollutants such as heavy metals and nanoparticles can undergo bioaccumulation and bioaugmentation. Heavy metals cannot be degraded and are hence added permanently. Nanoparticles are a potential threat because of their small size and unique properties. This article reviews the impact of various pollutants on aquatic biota and presents remediation methods. Benthic macroinvertebrates can be used as bioindicators to study the impact of pollutants on aquatic ecosystems. Fishes occupy the highest trophic level in the aquatic food chain and can therefore accumulate large amounts of metal from water, ultimately leading to biomagnification. Some organic compounds such as pesticides and fungicides are carcinogenic and sometimes resistant to degradation.

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Abbreviations

DO:

Dissolved oxygen

EPT:

Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera

BOD:

Biochemical oxygen demand

COD:

Chemical oxygen demand

USEPA:

United States Environment Protection Agency

POPs:

Persistent organic pollutants

NP:

Nanoparticle

MRG:

Metal-rich granules

MTLP:

Metallothionein-like protein

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

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Correspondence to Gaurav Sharma.

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Kahlon, S.K., Sharma, G., Julka, J.M. et al. Impact of heavy metals and nanoparticles on aquatic biota. Environ Chem Lett 16, 919–946 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-018-0737-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-018-0737-4

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