Abstract
Dispersion and aggregation behavior of nanoparticles in aquatic environment may be affected by pH, salinity, and dissolved organic matter, which would change its ecological risk. Effects of time, power and temperature on the alumina nanoparticles (nano-Al2O3) ultrasonic dispersion in water were discussed. Al2O3 had a best ultrasonic dispersion for 30 min at 105 W and 30 °C. The concentration of Al2O3 could be measured by ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometer, and the method was efficient and accurate. Furthermore, the sedimentation rate of Al2O3 was related to pH, salinity, and its concentration in the artificial seawater. When pH was 7.31, approaching the isoelectric point of Al2O3, they aggregated and settled fastest. Settlement coefficient (k) of Al2O3 increased by 3 and 2.7 times while the salinity and its concentration increased. The sedimentation rate was higher in natural seawater than that in artificial seawater. All results indicated that nano-Al2O3 would be removed in aquatic environment.
Highlights
With the rapid development of nanotechnology, nanoparticles (NPs) are discharged into the aqueous environment by waste water, river runoff or atmospheric deposition
Because of its unique physical and chemical properties, they may combine with natural organic matter, inorganic nutrients and heavy metal ions in seawater, remove from the water by the reunion and sedimentation, or fed by the aquatic organisms, and affect the marine ecological environment [1,2,3,4,5]
Metal oxide nanoparticles could absorb to micro-organisms with potential for trophic transfer following consumption [7]
Summary
With the rapid development of nanotechnology, nanoparticles (NPs) are discharged into the aqueous environment by waste water, river runoff or atmospheric deposition. Because of its unique physical and chemical properties, they may combine with natural organic matter, inorganic nutrients and heavy metal ions in seawater, remove from the water by the reunion and sedimentation, or fed by the aquatic organisms, and affect the marine ecological environment [1,2,3,4,5]. More and more scientists focused on the ecological toxicity of nanomaterials to aquatic organisms. NPs accumulation mainly occurred in digestive tract and gills of marine invertebrates. They interacted with plasma proteins, forming a protein corona that could affect particle uptake and toxicity in target cells in a physiological environment [6]. It is necessary to establish a nanomaterial analysis method to predict its potential threat to the environment
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