Protein profiling as early detection biomarkers for TiO nanoparticle toxicity in Daphnia magna.

The mode of action for nanoparticle (NP) toxicity in aquatic organisms is not yet fully understood. In this work, a strategy other than toxicity testing was applied to Daphnia magna exposed to TiO-NPs: the use of nuclear microscopy and the assessment of protein profile. D.

Liver alterations in two freshwater fish species (Carassius auratus and Danio rerio) following exposure to different TiO₂ nanoparticle concentrations.

The toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TIO₂ NPs) and oxidative stress effects were studied in two freshwater fish species (Carassius auratus and Danio rerio) exposed for 21 days to different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100/mgL) of TiO₂ NPs and to a control (tap water).

Effects of diamond nanoparticle exposure on the internal structure and reproduction of Daphnia magna.

Nanomaterials have significant technological advantages but their release into the environment also carry potential ecotoxicological risks. Carbon-based nanoparticles and particularly diamond nanoparticles have numerous industrial and medical applications. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxic effects of diamond nanoparticles with an average particle size of 20 nm on the survival, reproduction and tissue structure of the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna.

Ecotoxicity tests in the environmental analysis of wastewater treatment plants: case study in Portugal.

A global evaluation of wastewaters should include ecotoxicological tests to complement the chemical characterization, with advantages especially in the case of complex wastewaters. A European project developed in Trancão River Basin (Portugal), integrated the ecotoxicological and physicochemical studies of wastewater samples from two municipal sewer networks and respective wastewater treatment plants. Wastewater samples were analysed for physicochemical parameters, ecotoxicological acute and chronic tests performed and the potential for endocrine disruption evaluated.

Ecotoxicological assessment of industrial wastewaters in Trancão River Basin (Portugal).

It is important to assess the toxicity of complex effluents, since chemical evaluation alone is insufficient to protect the environment. Direct Toxicity Assessment is valuable in the decision process regarding the final disposal of complex wastewaters as it measures the total effects of the discharge, because of its known and unknown chemicals, additionally having some degree of ecological relevance. In Portugal, ecotoxicity tests are not used on a regular basis to control wastewaters.

Performance of a miniaturized algal bioassay in phytotoxicity screening.

A miniaturized and low-cost algal growth-inhibition assay, with Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, based on the standard ISO 8692 and using 96-well microplates, was tested and optimized in this work, to be used as a useful tool for pollutant phytotoxicity screening. For validation, the performance of the microplate algal growth-inhibition assay was first compared with the standard flask assay for the toxicity testing of five reference toxicants (copper(II) sulfate, zinc sulfate, potassium permanganate, potassium dichromate and 3,5-Dichlorophenol) and six wastewater samples. Statistical evaluation of EC(50) results from both methods demonstrated a good agreement between microplate and flask assays either in testing chemicals (r (2) = 0.