Bioavailability and bioaccumulation of metal-based engineered nanomaterials in aquatic environments: Concepts and processes

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Abstract

Bioavailability of Me-ENMs to aquatic organisms links their release into the environment to ecological implications. Close examination shows some important differences in the conceptual models that define bioavailability for metals and Me-ENMs. Metals are delivered to aquatic animals from Me-ENMs via water, ingestion, and incidental surface exposure. Both metal released from the Me-ENM and uptake of the nanoparticle itself contribute to bioaccumulation. Some mechanisms of toxicity and some of the metrics describing exposure may differ from metals alone. Bioavailability is driven by complex interaction of particle attributes, environmental transformations, and biological traits. Characterization of Me-ENMs is an essential part of understanding bioavailability and requires novel methodologies. The relative importance of the array of processes that could affect Me-ENM bioavailability remains poorly known, but new approaches and models are developing rapidly. Enough is known, however, to conclude that traditional approaches to exposure assessment for metals would not be adequate to assess risks from Me-ENMs.
Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Bioavailability and bioaccumulation of metal-based engineered nanomaterials in aquatic environments: Concepts and processes
Chapter 5
DOI 10.1016/B978-0-08-099408-6.00005-0
Volume 7
Year Published 2014
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) National Research Program - Western Branch, Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
Description 37 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Monograph
Larger Work Title Frontiers of nanoscience: Nanoscience and the environment
First page 157
Last page 193
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