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Trophic transfer of nanoparticles in a simplified invertebrate food web

Nature Nanotechnology volume 3, pages 352–355 (2008)Cite this article

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.

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Figure 1: Uptake and depuration of QDs by the ciliate T. pyriformis.
Figure 2: Trophic transfer of QDs by means of the ingestion of ciliate T. pyriformis by rotifer B. calyciflorus.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank J. Dunkers, M. Holden, S. Leigh, M. Salit, K. Scott, C. Zeissler (NIST) and T. Maugel (University of Maryland) for their assistance and H. Stapleton (Duke University) for crucial discussions regarding the biokinetic modelling. Disclaimer: Certain commercial equipment, instruments or materials are identified in this paper to specify adequately the experimental procedure. Such identification does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor does it imply that the materials or equipment identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Surface and Microanalysis Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, 20901, Maryland, USA

    R. David Holbrook

  2. Analytical Chemistry Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, 20901, Maryland, USA

    Karen E. Murphy

  3. Biochemical Science Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, 20901, Maryland, USA

    Jayne B. Morrow & Ken D. Cole

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  1. R. David Holbrook
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Contributions

R.D.H., J.B.M. and K.D.C. conceived and designed the experiment. R.D.H. performed the experiments and imaging and analysed the data. K.E.M. performed the ID-ICP-MS analysis. R.D.H. wrote the manuscript. All authors contributed to materials and analysis tools, discussed the results and commented on the manuscript.

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Correspondence to R. David Holbrook.

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Holbrook, R., Murphy, K., Morrow, J. et al. Trophic transfer of nanoparticles in a simplified invertebrate food web. Nature Nanotech 3, 352–355 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2008.110

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