Transformation of copper oxide nanoparticles as affected by ionic strength and its effects on the toxicity and bioaccumulation of copper in zebrafish embryo

Shu Ju Chao, C. P. Huang, Chi Cuong Lam, Lap Cuong Hua, Shih Hsien Chang, Chihpin Huang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the transformation of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in aquatic environments under different ionic strength and further examine its effects on copper toxicity and bioaccumulation by monitoring the responses and uptake behaviours of zebrafish embryo. Ionic strength (IS) was simulated according to surface water (1.5 mM), groundwater (15 mM), and wastewater (54 mM), representing low-, mid-, and high-IS water, respectively. At the highest exposure of 10 mg CuO/L, zebrafish larvae mortality was increased from 21.3% to 33.3%, when IS decreased from 54 to 1.5 mM. Low-IS solution also caused the highest numbers of delayed hatching embryo (81.3%) and opaque yolk deformation (36.3%). Copper bioaccumulation markedly increased when larvae were exposed to low-IS water (35%) relative to high-IS water (15%). Exposing to low-IS particularly enhanced copper uptake (~15 ng Cu/g inside embryo), facilitating the copper accumulation in the heart of larvae, whereas aggregated CuO NPs (>500 nm) in mid- and high-IS water were blocked from the embryo and found abundantly in the body axis and tail. Results indicate that CuO NPs in low-IS solutions rapidly form the relatively small CuO NP aggregates with a high copper dissolution, which would pose great concern for aquatic organisms.

Original languageEnglish
Article number112759
JournalEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Volume225
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2021

Keywords

  • Bioaccumulation
  • Copper oxide nanoparticles
  • Copper speciation
  • Ionic strength
  • Zebrafish embryo

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