Letter abstract
Nature Nanotechnology 3, 352 - 355 (2008)
Published online: 30 May 2008 | doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.110
Subject Categories: Nanoparticles | Structural properties | Synthesis and processing
Trophic transfer of nanoparticles in a simplified invertebrate food web
R. David Holbrook1, Karen E. Murphy2, Jayne B. Morrow3 & Ken D. Cole3
Abstract
The unique chemical and physical properties of engineered nanomaterials1 that make them attractive for numerous applications also contribute to their unexpected behaviour in the environment and biological systems2. The potential environmental risks, including their impact on aquatic organisms, have been a central argument for regulating the growth of the nanotechnology sector3. Here we show in a simplified food web that carboxylated and biotinylated quantum dots can be transferred to higher trophic organisms (rotifers) through dietary uptake of ciliated protozoans. Quantum dot accumulation from the surrounding environment (bioconcentration) was limited in the ciliates and no quantum dot enrichment (biomagnification) was observed in the rotifers. Our findings indicate that dietary uptake of nanomaterials should be considered for higher trophic aquatic organisms. However, limited bioconcentration and lack of biomagnification may impede the detection of nanomaterials in invertebrate species.
- Surface and Microanalysis Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20901, USA
- Analytical Chemistry Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20901, USA
- Biochemical Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20901, USA
Correspondence to: R. David Holbrook1 e-mail: dave.holbrook@nist.gov
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