Effects of cobalt oxide nanomaterial on plants and soil invertebrates at different levels of biological organization

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Ruth Pereira (Author) FCUP; Sirine Bouguerra (Author) FCUP; M.G. rasteiro (Author) Other; Teresa A.P. Rocha-Santos (Author) Other; Mohamed Ksibi (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Soils and Sediments

Vol. 19 No. 2

Pages: 3018-3034

ISSN: 1439-0108

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 7 Citations

Scopus - 9 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Q-B66

DOI: 10.1007/s11368-019-02285-8

Abstract (EN): PurposeMetallic nanomaterials (MNM) like cobalt oxide (nano-Co3O4) are currently attracting enormous interest owing to their unique size and shape-dependent properties and potential applications in various sectors. The aims of this study were to assess the toxicity of nano-Co3O4 and to propose a risk limit through the estimation of a Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNEC) for this MNM to soil biota.Materials and methodsFor this purpose, a battery of sub-lethal ecotoxicological tests was performed to assess the influence of this MNM on four plant species (endpoints: germination and growth) and two invertebrate species (endpoints: avoidance and reproduction) following standard protocols. Further, biochemical endpoints (acetylcholinesterase [AChE], catalase [CAT], glutathione-S-transferase [GST] activity, and lipid peroxidation [LPO]) were also assessed in Eisenia andrei, one of the invertebrate species tested, in order to contribute for refining the PNEC value.Results and discussionThe recorded data showed a significant inhibition in the germination of L. lycopersicum and in the growth of Z. mays, even at the lowest concentration tested (269.3mgkg(-1) soil(dw) of nano-Co3O4). Concerning the soil invertebrates, the results showed only significant avoidance (p<0.05) by E. andrei in the soil contaminated with the highest concentration tested (1000mgkg(-1) soil(dw) of nano-Co3O4), while no significant ecotoxicological effect on reproductive outputs of both species was recorded. However, the data reported for AChE, CAT, GST, and LPO showed significant effects at the range of concentrations tested in E. andrei. Thus, we recorded, the occurrence of oxidative stress and the enhancement of lipid peroxidation, on this invertebrate species.ConclusionsThe data obtained in this study supports the proposal of a PNEC value of 9.1mgkg(-1) soil(dw) for nano-Co3O4 in soil. The integration of data from biochemical endpoints allowed the refinement of the PNEC value and to obtain a more protective threshold.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 17