Trophic Transfer of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes at the Base of the Food Chain and Toxicological Response
The potential for trophic transfer of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was assessed using the green algae <i>Tetraselmis suecica</i> and the blue mussel <i>Mytilus edulis</i> in a series of laboratory experiments. Swanee River Natural Organic Matter (SRNOM)-dispersed S...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/12/24/4363 |
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| author | Majed Al-Shaeri Lynn Paterson Margret Stobie Paul Cyphus Mark G. J. Hartl |
| author_facet | Majed Al-Shaeri Lynn Paterson Margret Stobie Paul Cyphus Mark G. J. Hartl |
| author_sort | Majed Al-Shaeri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The potential for trophic transfer of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was assessed using the green algae <i>Tetraselmis suecica</i> and the blue mussel <i>Mytilus edulis</i> in a series of laboratory experiments. Swanee River Natural Organic Matter (SRNOM)-dispersed SWCNTs were introduced into growing algal cultures. Light microscopical observations, confirmed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy, showed that SWCNT agglomerates adhered to the external algal cell walls and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) results suggested internalization. A direct effect of SWCNT exposure on the algae was a significant decrease in growth, expressed as chlorophyll a concentration and cell viability. Mussels, fed with algae in the presence of SWCNTs, led to significantly increased pseudofaeces production, indicating selective feeding. Nevertheless, histological sections of the mussel digestive gland following exposure showed evidence of SWCNT-containing algae. Furthermore, DNA damage and oxidative stress biomarker responses in the mussel haemocytes and gill tissue were significantly altered from baseline values and were consistent with previously observed responses to SWCNT exposure. In conclusion, the observed SWCNT-algal interaction demonstrated the potential for SWCNT entrance at the base of the food chain, which may facilitate their trophic transfer with potential consequences for human exposure and health. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:01:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8f060f18ca89452dbc6496ec2eefc9c1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:01:26Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj.art-8f060f18ca89452dbc6496ec2eefc9c12023-11-24T17:03:04ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912022-12-011224436310.3390/nano12244363Trophic Transfer of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes at the Base of the Food Chain and Toxicological ResponseMajed Al-Shaeri0Lynn Paterson1Margret Stobie2Paul Cyphus3Mark G. J. Hartl4Centre for Marine Biodiversity and Biotechnology, Institute of Life and Earth Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UKInstitute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UKCentre for Marine Biodiversity and Biotechnology, Institute of Life and Earth Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UKCentre for Marine Biodiversity and Biotechnology, Institute of Life and Earth Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UKCentre for Marine Biodiversity and Biotechnology, Institute of Life and Earth Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, UKThe potential for trophic transfer of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was assessed using the green algae <i>Tetraselmis suecica</i> and the blue mussel <i>Mytilus edulis</i> in a series of laboratory experiments. Swanee River Natural Organic Matter (SRNOM)-dispersed SWCNTs were introduced into growing algal cultures. Light microscopical observations, confirmed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy, showed that SWCNT agglomerates adhered to the external algal cell walls and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) results suggested internalization. A direct effect of SWCNT exposure on the algae was a significant decrease in growth, expressed as chlorophyll a concentration and cell viability. Mussels, fed with algae in the presence of SWCNTs, led to significantly increased pseudofaeces production, indicating selective feeding. Nevertheless, histological sections of the mussel digestive gland following exposure showed evidence of SWCNT-containing algae. Furthermore, DNA damage and oxidative stress biomarker responses in the mussel haemocytes and gill tissue were significantly altered from baseline values and were consistent with previously observed responses to SWCNT exposure. In conclusion, the observed SWCNT-algal interaction demonstrated the potential for SWCNT entrance at the base of the food chain, which may facilitate their trophic transfer with potential consequences for human exposure and health.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/12/24/4363ecotoxicologynano-physiochemical propertiesDNA damagecytotoxicitygenotoxicitymetals interaction |
| spellingShingle | Majed Al-Shaeri Lynn Paterson Margret Stobie Paul Cyphus Mark G. J. Hartl Trophic Transfer of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes at the Base of the Food Chain and Toxicological Response Nanomaterials ecotoxicology nano-physiochemical properties DNA damage cytotoxicity genotoxicity metals interaction |
| title | Trophic Transfer of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes at the Base of the Food Chain and Toxicological Response |
| title_full | Trophic Transfer of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes at the Base of the Food Chain and Toxicological Response |
| title_fullStr | Trophic Transfer of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes at the Base of the Food Chain and Toxicological Response |
| title_full_unstemmed | Trophic Transfer of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes at the Base of the Food Chain and Toxicological Response |
| title_short | Trophic Transfer of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes at the Base of the Food Chain and Toxicological Response |
| title_sort | trophic transfer of single walled carbon nanotubes at the base of the food chain and toxicological response |
| topic | ecotoxicology nano-physiochemical properties DNA damage cytotoxicity genotoxicity metals interaction |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/12/24/4363 |
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