Grantee Research Project Results
2011 Progress Report: Transatlantic Initiative for Nanotechnology and the Environment
EPA Grant Number: R834574Title: Transatlantic Initiative for Nanotechnology and the Environment
Investigators: Bertsch, Paul M. , Unrine, Jason M. , Wiesner, Mark R. , Lowry, Gregory V. , Tsyusko, Olga V. , Casman, Elizabeth , Liu, Jie , Kabengi, Nadine
Current Investigators: Bertsch, Paul M. , Dorey, Robert A , Rocks, Sophie A , McNear, David H. , Unrine, Jason M. , Wiesner, Mark R. , Lowry, Gregory V. , Tsyusko, Olga V. , Neal, Andy , Jefferson, Bruce , Svendsen, Claus , Spurgeon, David , Casman, Elizabeth , Zhang, Hao , Harris, J. , Liu, Jie , Ritz, Karl , Kabengi, Nadine , McGrath, Steve , Lofts, Steve
Institution: University of Kentucky , Carnegie Mellon University , Duke University
Current Institution: University of Kentucky , Carnegie Mellon University , Centre for Ecology and Hydrology , Cranfield University , Duke University , Lancaster University , Rothamsted Research
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: August 1, 2010 through September 30, 2014 (Extended to June 30, 2016)
Project Period Covered by this Report: August 1, 2010 through September 30,2011
Project Amount: $2,000,000
RFA: Environmental Behavior, Bioavailability and Effects of Manufactured Nanomaterials - Joint US – UK Research Program (2009) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Chemical Safety for Sustainability
Objective:
We have developed a life cycle perspective-inspired conceptual model (CM) that suggests the importance of terrestrial ecosystems as a major repository of ZnO, TiO2, and Ag manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) introduced via the land application of MNM-containing biosolids. In this project we are investigating the transport, fate, behavior, bioavailability, and effects of MNMs in agroecosystems under environmentally realistic scenarios organized around three key hypotheses:
- Hypothesis (H1): Surface chemistry is the primary factor influencing the fate and transport of MNMs in the terrestrial environment as well as the bioavailability and effects to biological receptors;
- Hypothesis (H2): Once released to the environment, pristine MNM surfaces will be modified by interactions with organic and inorganic ligands (macromolecules) or via other biogeochemical transformations (aging effects forming a-MNMs); and
- Hypothesis (H3): Ecoreceptors will respond to interactions with pristine metal and metal oxide MNMs, a-MNMs, and/or dissolved constituent metal ions and bulk oxides by specific ecological and toxicogenomic responses that will reflect their combined effects.
The overall objectives are to: 1) compare the transport, fate, behavior, bioavailability, and effects of MNMs, a- MNMs, and/or dissolved free metals/bulk oxides to organisms with key terrestrial ecosystem functions, as well as exposure pathways involving humans; 2) determine MNM, surface modified MNM and a-MNM interactions with important biological targets relevant to the BLM and pBRM models and relate these interactions to physicochemical properties; 3) validate models with information generated from experiments designed to address objective 1 for MNMs introduced through a pilot scale Waste Water Treatment Process (WWTP) to key terrestrial ecoreceptors, including effects of MNMs on the WWTP itself; 4) determine realistic MNM emission scenarios for Tier 1 MNMs in wastewater from the WWT pilot plant data and develop first generation Life-Cycle-Analysis-inspired Risk Assessment (LCA-RA) model components for terrestrial effects of Tier 1 MNMs and a-MNMS based on data generated in experiments designed to address objectives 1, 2, and 3; and 5) provide tools for in situ detection, monitoring, and characterization of pristine MNMs and a-MNMs in environmental media and biota.
Progress Summary:
The tier 1 manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) to be used in the project have been synthesized/selected and thoroughly characterized by Jie Liu’s laboratory. The TiO2 and ZnO MNMs were obtained from commercial sources (Degussa and NanoSun from Micronisers, respectively) while the Ag particles were synthesized at Duke University by Jie Liu’s laboratory. The final selection of the TiO2 and ZnO MNMs were based on the fact that these materials are being used in larger studies being conducted in the European Union and United States by TĪNĒ team members. The ZnO, Ag, and TiO2 MNMs have been distributed to all (UK and US) of the TĪNĒ team members conducting laboratory exposure experiments, as well as to Cranfield University for their ultimate addition to the wastewater treatment facility. Recently, 4 nm citrate-coated CeO2 MNMs for use in experiments involving tier 2 materials have been synthesized at the University of Kentucky by Jason Unrine’s group. Other Ag, ZnO, TiO2, and Au NPs have been obtained/synthesized for use in a variety of laboratory experiments examining the role of size and surface charge on bioavailability and toxicity.
Future Activities:
The major objectives for the upcoming period include comprehensive studies on primary transformation pathways and products as well as environmental fate of ZnO and Ag MNMs under aging conditions expected in soil, wastewater treatment and biosolids; continued bioavailability/toxicity testing of pristine and aged Ag, ZnO MNMs to C. elegans and key rhizobacteria; and examination of MNM properties (size, charge, relative hydrophobicity) on plant uptake and interaction with membrane vesicles. Additionally, information will continue to be collected for use in identifying affected populations and associated exposure potential, an exposure assessment framework for emerging contaminants, and identifying regulatory impacts based on exposure potential.
Journal Articles on this Report : 3 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 69 publications | 39 publications in selected types | All 39 journal articles |
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Type | Citation | ||
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Judy JD, Unrine JM, Bertsch PM. Evidence for biomagnification of gold nanoparticles within a terrestrial food chain. Environmental Science & Technology 2011;45(2):776-781. |
R834574 (2011) R834574 (Final) R833335 (2009) R833335 (Final) |
Exit Exit Exit |
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Neal AL, Kabengi N, Grider A, Bertsch PM. Can the soil bacterium Cupriavidus necator sense ZnO nanomaterials and aqueous Zn2+ differentially? Nanotoxicology 2012;6(4):371-380. |
R834574 (2011) R834574 (2012) R834574 (Final) |
Exit Exit |
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von der Kammer F, Ferguson PL, Holden PA, Masion A, Rogers KR, Klaine SJ, Koelmans AA, Horne N, Unrine JM. Analysis of engineered nanomaterials in complex matrices (environment and biota): general considerations and conceptual case studies. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 2012;31(1):32-49. |
R834574 (2011) R834574 (2012) R834574 (Final) R833859 (Final) R834857 (2011) R834857 (2012) |
Exit Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
environmental nanotechnology, nanotoxicology, environmental chemistry, ecological and human health risks of manufactured nanomaterials, chemical speciation, biosensors, environmental chemistry, biogeochemistryRelevant Websites:
http://www.research.uky.edu/odyssey/features/nanotech.html Exit
http://www.pratt.duke.edu/duke_ceint_tine Exit
http://www.rothamsted.ac.uk/ProjectDetails.php?ID=5094 Exit
http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/sas/cas/projects/page49553.html Exit
Progress 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.
Project Research Results
- Final Report
- 2015 Progress Report
- 2014 Progress Report
- 2013 Progress Report
- 2012 Progress Report
- Original Abstract
39 journal articles for this project