Effects of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles on the survival and reproduction of Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) and their elimination from this benthic aquatic snail.

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effects of maghemite nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3) coated with meso-2, 3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) stabilizer on the survival and reproduction of the aquatic snail Biomphalaria glabrata. The cumulative means of egg masses and eggs per individual in the control group at the end of 4weeks were 18.8 and 326.7, respectively. These values at the concentration of 1mg/L were 17.2 and 291.6; at 10mg/L, they were 19.6 and 334.4 ,and at 100mg/L, they were 14.3 and 311.1. Results showed no significant differences between the tested and the control groups at the level of p<0.05. Exposure of embryos for 10days showed absence of mortality, malformation, or hatching delay. X-ray microtomography confirmed the presence of nanoparticles in exposed individuals and showed the complete elimination of the nanoparticles after 30days in clean water. In the studied conditions, it is clear that γ-Fe2O3 coated with stabilizing DMSA did not alter the fecundity or the fertility of the snail B. glabrata after 4weeks of exposure, and accumulation was not present after 30days in clean water.