Grantee Research Project Results
2008 Progress Report: Characterization of the Potential Toxicity of Metal Nanoparticles in Marine Ecosystems Using Oysters
EPA Grant Number: R833337Title: Characterization of the Potential Toxicity of Metal Nanoparticles in Marine Ecosystems Using Oysters
Investigators: Ringwood, Amy Huffman , Carroll, David Loren
Institution: University of North Carolina at Charlotte , Wake Forest University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: April 5, 2007 through April 4, 2010
Project Period Covered by this Report: April 5, 2008 through April 4,2009
Project Amount: $399,843
RFA: Exploratory Research: Nanotechnology Research Grants Investigating Environmental and Human Health Effects of Manufactured Nanomaterials: a Joint Research Solicitation-EPA, NSF, NIOSH, NIEHS (2006) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Nanotechnology , Safer Chemicals
Objective:
This research project is designed to address a number of important issues regarding metal nanoparticle toxicity in marine organisms, e.g., morphological changes of metal nanoparticles in seawater, adverse effects on fundamental cellular responses related to lysosomal integrity, mitochondrial function, effects on antioxidants and oxidative damage, relative sensitivity of different life history stages, and cellular and tissue accumulation patterns.
Progress Summary:
Our primary focus during the second year of the project has been with Ag nanoparticles. We conducted exposure studies with adults and embryonic oysters with two different types of Ag nanoparticles, seeds (spheres) and prisms (more triangular shaped). We also conducted exposures with AgCl and AgNO3, so that in all cases the amount of Ag added (whether as nanoparticles or Ag salts) was the same in all comparable treatments. A significant increase in lipid peroxidation was observed in the hepatopancreas tissues of nanoparticle exposed oysters but not in the gills; however, there were no significant changes in glutathione (GSH) levels in either gill or hepatopancreas tissues. Metallothionein (MT) gene expression was induced to a greater level in hepatopancreas tissues than in gill tissues of adults exposed to Ag nanoparticles. Embryos exposed to Ag nanoparticles also exhibited a significant induction of MT genes, and MT induction in embryos was much greater than that observed in adults. Based on lysosomal destabilization assays, the Ag prism nanoparticles were more toxic than either the Ag seeds or Ag salts.
Future Activities:
During Year 3, we will be involved in: 1) completion of analyses of the samples generated during Year 2; 2) Cu and Ti nanoparticle exposure studies; and 3) submission of manuscripts for publication.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 13 publications | 3 publications in selected types | All 3 journal articles |
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Ringwood AH, Levi-Polyachenko N, Carroll DL. Fullerene exposures with oysters: embryonic, adult, and cellular responses. Environmental Science & Technology 2009;43(18):7136-7141. |
R833337 (2008) R833337 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
aquatic, nanotechnology, susceptibility, mid-Atlantic, Health, Scientific Discipline, Health Risk Assessment, Risk Assessments, Biochemistry, bioavailability, nanomaterials, human exposure, genetic analysis, carcinogenic, biological pathways, nanotechnology, nanoparticle toxicity, histopathology, human health risk, toxicologic assessment, marine ecosystemRelevant Websites:
http://biology.uncc.edu/Faculty/ringwood-amy-h.html ExitProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.