There has been extensive growth in nanoscale technology in the last few decades to such a degree that nanomaterials (NMs) have become a constituent in a wide range of commercial and domestic products. With NMs already in use in several consumer products, concerns have emerged regarding their potential adverse environmental impacts. Although research has been undertaken in order to minimise the gaps in our understanding of NMs in the environment, little is known about their bioavailability and toxicity in the aquatic environment. Nano-toxicology is defined as the study of the toxicity of nanomaterials (Klaine et al. 2012). Nano-toxicology studies remain poorly and unevenly distributed. To date, most of the research undertaken has been restricted to a narrow range of test species such as daphnids. Crabs are bio-indicators that can be used for toxicological research on NMs since they occupy a significant position in the aquatic food chain. In addition, they are often used in conventional ecotoxicological studies due to their high sensitivity to environmental stressors and are abundantly available. Because they are benthic organisms they are prone to contaminant uptake and bioaccumulation. To our knowledge the crab has never been used in nanotoxicological studies. In this context, an extensive review on published scientific literature on the ecotoxicity of silver NPs(AgNPs) on aquatic organisms was conducted. Some of the most common biomarkers used in ecotoxicological studies are described. Emphasis is placed on the use of biomarker responses in crabs as monitoring tools, as well as on its limitations. Additionally, the gaps in nano-toxicological research and recommendations for future research initiatives are addressed.
Reference:
Walters CR, Pool EJ, and Somerset VS. 2014. Ecotoxicity of silver nanomaterials in the aquatic environment: A review of literature and gaps in nano-toxicological research. Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A: Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering, vol 49(13), pp. 1588-601
Walters, C. R., Pool, E., & Somerset, V. (2014). Ecotoxicity of silver nanomaterials in the aquatic environment: A review of literature and gaps in nano-toxicological research. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/8107
Walters, Chavon R, EJ Pool, and VS Somerset "Ecotoxicity of silver nanomaterials in the aquatic environment: A review of literature and gaps in nano-toxicological research." (2014) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/8107
Walters CR, Pool E, Somerset V. Ecotoxicity of silver nanomaterials in the aquatic environment: A review of literature and gaps in nano-toxicological research. 2014; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/8107.
Copyright: 2014 Taylor & Francis. This is a post-print version. The definitive version of the work is published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A: Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering, Vol 49(13), pp. 1588-601