Impact/Purpose:

The overall objective of the proposed research is to determine the role of NOM in transport, bioavailability and toxicity of C₆₀ fullerene in surface and ground waters. We aim to test three main hypotheses developed based on our recent preliminary studies: 1) NOM alters the physical-chemical state of nC₆₀ nanoparticles by interfering with C₆₀-C₆₀ molecular interactions; 2) NOM reduces adsorption/deposition of nC₆₀ on subsurface soil and suspended particles in surface water by altering their physicochemical properties and interfering with nC₆₀- surface interactions; 3) nC₆₀ does not penetrate into the cell cytoplasm nor permeabilizes the cell by puncturing the membrane, but it interferes with the redox activity of bacteria. NOM attenuates nC₆₀ toxicity by decreasing the bioavailability of nC₆₀ and hindering its ability to oxidize bacterial membranes and perturb bacterial respiration.

Description:

The outcome of the project is expected to provide 1) a realistic estimate of C₆₀ exposure levels in natural aqueous environment; 2) quantitative description of nC₆₀ transport behavior in systems well representing the natural aqueous environment; 3) identification of major chemical interactions that nC₆₀ may encounter in the aqueous environment; and 4) a realistic toxicity level and toxicity mechanisms of nC₆₀ in natural environment.  The information obtained is critical to predicting the potential level of contamination of the natural aqueous environment by mass production of C₆₀ fullerene and the consequent impact on the microbial community. The structure-function relationship will help establishing safety guidelines for industrial and environmental exposures and disposal.

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT( ABSTRACT )

Start Date:01/01/2009

Completion Date:12/31/2011

Record ID: 203145

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Related Organizations:

Role :OWNER

Organization Name :RICE UNIVERSITY

Mailing Address :6100 S Main

Citation :Houston

State :TX

Zip Code :77005

Project Information:

Approach :

The project investigates the effect of NOM-nC₆₀ interactions on three key aspects of nC₆₀ environmental behavior: 1) C₆₀ “solubility”, physicochemical properties of nC₆₀ nano-particles, and the chemical nature of NOM-C₆₀ interactions will be characterized using advanced analytical techniques in a wide range of solution conditions representing natural water, including different type and concentration of NOM;  2) Mechanisms and kinetics of partition/deposition and transport of nC₆₀ will be determined in the presence and absence of NOM at both micro-, and macro- scales using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring and packed column experiments, respectively; 3) Molecular level mechanisms of nC₆₀ toxicity to bacteria will be probed using novel experimental methods and the impact of NOM will be assessed by comparing cell association and antimicrobial activity in the presence and absence of NOM. Structure-function analysis will be performed to relate nC₆₀ physicochemical properties to its transport behavior and toxicity with and without NOM.

Cost :$399,995.00

Research Component :Nanotechnology

Risk Paradigm :RISK ASSESSMENT

Approach :

The project investigates the effect of NOM-nC₆₀ interactions on three key aspects of nC₆₀ environmental behavior: 1) C₆₀ “solubility”, physicochemical properties of nC₆₀ nano-particles, and the chemical nature of NOM-C₆₀ interactions will be characterized using advanced analytical techniques in a wide range of solution conditions representing natural water, including different type and concentration of NOM;  2) Mechanisms and kinetics of partition/deposition and transport of nC₆₀ will be determined in the presence and absence of NOM at both micro-, and macro- scales using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring and packed column experiments, respectively; 3) Molecular level mechanisms of nC₆₀ toxicity to bacteria will be probed using novel experimental methods and the impact of NOM will be assessed by comparing cell association and antimicrobial activity in the presence and absence of NOM. Structure-function analysis will be performed to relate nC₆₀ physicochemical properties to its transport behavior and toxicity with and without NOM.

Cost :$399,995.00

Research Component :OTHER

Risk Paradigm :RISK ASSESSMENT

Project IDs:

ID Code :R834093

Project type :EPA Grant