Abstract
Graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs) possess unique physicochemical properties, allowing a wide range of applications in physical, chemical, and biomedical fields. Although GBNs are broadly used, information about their adverse effects on ecosystem health, especially in the terrestrial environment, is limited. Therefore, this study aims to assess the toxicity of two commonly used derivatives of GBNs, graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), in the soil invertebrate Enchytraeus crypticus using a reduced full life cycle test. At higher exposure concentrations, GO induced high mortality and severe impairment in the reproduction rate, while rGO showed little adverse effect up to 1000 mg/kg. Collectively, our body of results suggests that the degree of oxidation of GO correlates with their toxic effects on E. crypticus, which argues against generalization on GBNs ecotoxicity. Identifying the key factors affecting the toxicity of GBNs, including ecotoxicity, is urgent for the design of safe GBNs for commercial purposes.
Highlights
Over the last decade, the production and use of nanomaterials (NMs) have been rapidly expanding due to a wide range of applications in many industrial sectors
Graphene nanomaterials consisting solely of carbon are known to be non-toxic; graphene derivatives like graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide can contain residual metals and impurities from the chemicals used in the treatment process for oxidation and reduction [5]
GO and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) can be functionalized with a wide variety of compounds, such as polymers and biomolecules, that can alter their structure and, their toxicity [6,7]
Summary
The production and use of nanomaterials (NMs) have been rapidly expanding due to a wide range of applications in many industrial sectors. Graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs) have attracted considerable interest because of their fascinating optical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. These properties allowed the GBNs application in electronic devices, energy storage, biosensors, semiconductors, water purification (filter), biomedicine, tissue engineering, and drug/gene delivery [1,2]. GO and rGO can be functionalized with a wide variety of compounds, such as polymers and biomolecules, that can alter their structure and, their toxicity [6,7]. Systematic investigation of any potential toxic effects of GO/rGO is essential to ensure assessment of safety at biological and environmental levels
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