Abstract
ZnS nanoparticles of different sizes are synthesized employing a simple wet chemical method. These nanoparticles are used to study their impact on the Daphnia sp. through traditional toxicity tests. The percentage of mortality is found to increase initially with increasing nanoparticle concentration or exposure time and is finally found to saturate for higher concentrations or exposure times. Mortality is found to be higher for smaller particles. Hopping frequency and heart rate are also found to increase with increasing nanoparticle exposure time for a fixed nanoparticle concentration. These observations can be attributed to the enhanced surface photooxidation property of the ZnS nanoparticles. Thus the present study will help people to understand the hitherto unknown harmful impact of ZnS nanoparticles on aquatic organisms in the western part of West Bengal (Bankura and Purulia districts), India.
Highlights
Nanoparticles (1–100 nm) comprise the latest technological advances designed for various applications [1]
Presence of fine ZnS nanoparticles is clearly visible in the Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) picture (Figure 1(a))
The percentage of mortality is found to increase with increasing nanoparticle concentration or exposure time and saturates for higher concentrations or exposure time
Summary
Nanoparticles (1–100 nm) comprise the latest technological advances designed for various applications [1]. Nanoparticles have come under scrutiny for their potential to cause environmental damage [3, 4] Because of their increased reactivity, nanoparticles can be detrimental to the environment. Ecotoxicological studies show that nanoparticles are toxic to aquatic organisms, both unicellular (e.g., bacteria or protozoa) and animals (e.g., Daphnia or fish). Bulk TiO2 is considered to have no health effects on aquatic organisms but exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles causes an increase in mortality with an increase in nanoparticle concentration in Daphnia magna [19]. They feed by filtering minute particles, such as bacteria and algae, from the fresh water in which they live They interact with large portions of the environment and have a greater potential to be affected by ingestion of pollutant particulates compared to that of other aquatic organisms. This will help people to restore the balance in local aquatic ecosystem
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