Insight into diversity change, variability and co-occurrence patterns of phytoplankton assemblage in headwater streams: a study of the Xijiang River basin, South China.

Phytoplankton has been used as a paradigm for studies of coexistence of species since the publication of the "paradox of the plankton." Although there are a wealth of studies about phytoplankton assemblages of lakes, reservoirs and rivers, our knowledge about phytoplankton biodiversity and its underlying mechanisms in mountain headwater stream ecosystems is limited, especially across regional scales with broad environmental gradients. In this study, we collected 144 phytoplankton samples from the Xijiang headwater streams of the Pearl River across low altitude (< 1,000 m) located in Guangxi province, intermediate altitude (1,000 m < altitude <2,000 m) in Guizhou province and high altitude (> 2,000 m) in Yunnan province of China.

Functionalization of Polymer-Wrapped Silver Nanoclusters and Potential Applications as Antimicrobial Mask Materials.

The poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) polymer stabilized silver nanoclusters Ag ( = 2-9), synthesized in aqueous solution by the selected light wavelength irradiation photolysis approach, have been functionalized with thiol and amine ligands and successfully transferred from aqueous to organic media. Low- or high-resolution positive mass spectra showed constant species composites with the molecular formula AgL [ = 2 to ∼9, L = butylmercaptan (CHS), thiolphenol (CHS), or dodecanethiol (CHS)] and proved that the molecules consist of deprotonated sulfur ligands in each species with one positive charge. Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are consistent, indicating deprotonated sulfur, while silver has a zero valence value.

Effect of size and surface chemistry of gold nanoparticles on their retention in a sediment-water system and .

With the increased production, usage, and disposal of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs), there is growing concern over the fate of ENPs in the environment, their potential bioavailability and ecotoxicity. It is assumed that bioavailability and uptake into organisms depend on the environmental conditions as well as the physicochemical properties of ENPs, such as particle size or surface coating. A major sink for nanoparticles is expected to be sediments due to sorption and agglomeration processes.

Alloyed Crystalline CdSeS Semiconductive Nanomaterials - A Solid State Cd NMR Study.

Solid-state NMR analysis on wurtzite alloyed CdSeS crystalline nanoparticles and nanobelts provides evidence that the Cd NMR chemical shift is not affected by the varying sizes of nanoparticles, but is sensitive to the S/Se anion molar ratios. A linear correlation is observed between Cd NMR chemical shifts and the sulfur component for the alloyed CdSeS (0 View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Monochromatic Photolysis to Generate Silver Quantum Clusters in Polymer Matrices with Efficiently Antibio Property.

Size-control of species via wavelength to selectively synthesize Ag quantum clusters (QCs) was utilized and the synthesis conditions of this system (AgNO, poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) with light) were optimized by changing a variety of parameters. Silver QCs, stabilized by PMAA with different compositions, have been synthesized in aqueous solution by tuning the irradiation monochromatic light wavelengths (300 or 365 nm) and AgNO/MAA ratio (1 or 2). The novel preparation procedure has demonstrated a new approach to enlarge the population of the Ag QC family and proved the effectiveness of size control to prepare Ag QCs by tuning the light wavelength.

Application of nanoparticle tracking analysis for characterising the fate of engineered nanoparticles in sediment-water systems.

Novel applications of nanotechnology may lead to the release of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs), which result in concerns over their potential environmental hazardous impact. It is essential for the research workers to be able to quantitatively characterise ENPs in the environment and subsequently to assist the risk assessment of the ENPs. This study hence explored the application of nanoparticle tracking system (NTA) to quantitatively describe the behaviour of the ENPs in natural sediment-water systems.

Do particle size and surface functionality affect uptake and depuration of gold nanoparticles by aquatic invertebrates?

Because of the widespread use of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in consumer and industrial products, it is inevitable that these materials will enter the environment. It is often stated that the uptake of ENPs into organisms in the environment is related to the particle size and surface functionality. To test this assumption, the present study investigated the uptake and depuration of gold nanoparticle (Au NPs) coated with either citrate (Au-citrate NPs), mercaptoundecanoic acid (Au-MUDA NPs), amino polyethylene glycol (PEG) thiol (Au-NH2 NPs), or PEG (Au-PEG NP) by the aquatic invertebrate Gammarus pulex.

Widespread nanoparticle-assay interference: implications for nanotoxicity testing.

The evaluation of engineered nanomaterial safety has been hindered by conflicting reports demonstrating differential degrees of toxicity with the same nanoparticles. The unique properties of these materials increase the likelihood that they will interfere with analytical techniques, which may contribute to this phenomenon. We tested the potential for: 1) nanoparticle intrinsic fluorescence/absorbance, 2) interactions between nanoparticles and assay components, and 3) the effects of adding both nanoparticles and analytes to an assay, to interfere with the accurate assessment of toxicity.

Regulatory ecotoxicity testing of engineered nanoparticles: are the results relevant to the natural environment?

Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) will be released to the environment during use or following the disposal of ENP-containing products and concerns have been raised over the risks of ENPs to the environment. Many studies have explored the toxicity of ENPs to aquatic organisms but these studies have usually been performed with little understanding of the ENPs' behaviour in the test media and the relationship between behaviour in the media to behaviour in natural waters. This study evaluated and compared the aggregation behaviour of four model gold nanoparticle (NP) types (coated with neutral, negative, positive and amphoteric cappings) in standard ecotoxicity test media and natural waters.

Disruption of biomolecule function by nanoparticles: how do gold nanoparticles affect Phase I biotransformation of persistent organic pollutants?

The potential influence of nanoparticles on cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isozyme mediated Phase I biotransformation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in vitro was investigated using citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and 2,2',3,5',6-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 95) as the probe nanoparticle and compound, respectively. AuNPs affected the biotransformation activity of rat CYP2B1 and changed the atropisomeric composition of PCB 95, depending on the incubation time and the AuNP concentration. Electrostatic repulsion between citrate-coated AuNPs and rat CYP2B1 may influence the active conformation of the isozyme and consequently affect its activity and stereoselectivity.

Mechanistic insights into the effect of nanoparticles on zebrafish hatch.

Aquatic organisms are susceptible to waterborne nanoparticles (NP) and there is only limited understanding of the mechanisms by which these emerging contaminants may affect biological processes. This study used silicon (nSi), cadmium selenide (nCdSe), silver (nAg) and zinc NPs (nZnO) as well as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) to assess NP effects on zebrafish (Danio rerio) hatch. Exposure of 10 mg/L nAg and nCdSe delayed zebrafish hatch and 100 mg/L of nCdSe as well as 10 and 100 mg/L of uncoated nZnO completely inhibited hatch and the embryos died within the chorion.

An investigation of 1:1 adducts of gallium trihalides with triarylphosphines by solid-state (69/71)Ga and 31P NMR spectroscopy.

Several 1:1 adducts of gallium trihalides with triarylphosphines, X(3)Ga(PR(3)) (X=Cl, Br, and I; PR(3)=triarylphosphine ligand), were investigated by using solid-state (69/71)Ga and (31)P NMR spectroscopy at different magnetic-field strengths. The (69/71)Ga nuclear quadrupolar coupling parameters, as well as the gallium and phosphorus magnetic shielding tensors, were determined. The magnitude of the (71)Ga quadrupolar coupling constants (C(Q)((71)Ga)) range from approximately 0.

Silver nanoparticles inhibit sodium uptake in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

The silver ion (Ag(+)) is well documented to be a potent inhibitor of sodium (Na(+)) transport in fish. However, it has not been determined whether silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) elicit this same effect and, if so, if the NP itself and/or the dissociation of ionic Ag(+) causes this effect. Citrate-capped Ag NPs were dialyzed in water to determine the dissolution rate of ionic Ag(+) from the NPs and the maximum concentration of free Ag(+) released from the NPs was used as a paired Ag(+) control to distinguish NP effects from ionic metal effects.

Influence of surface functionalization and particle size on the aggregation kinetics of engineered nanoparticles.

In an effort to minimize the impact on the environment or improve the properties of choice, most engineered nanoparticles used for commercial applications are surface functionalized. The release of these functionalized engineered nanoparticles (FENPs) into the environment can be either deliberate or accidental. Scientific research to date has tended to focus on evaluating the toxicity of FENPs, with less attention being given to exposure assessments or to the study of their general behavior in natural environments.

Actinide metals with multiple bonds to carbon: synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of U(IV) and Th(IV) bis(iminophosphorano)methandiide pincer carbene complexes.

Treatment of ThCl(4)(DME)(2) or UCl(4) with 1 equiv of dilithiumbis(iminophosphorano) methandiide, [Li(2)C(Ph(2)P═NSiMe(3))(2)] (1), afforded the chloro actinide carbene complexes [Cl(2)M(C(Ph(2)P═NSiMe(3))(2))] (2 (M = Th) and 3 (M = U)) in situ. Stable PCP metal-carbene complexes [Cp(2)Th(C(Ph(2)P═NSiMe(3))(2))] (4), [Cp(2)U(C(Ph(2)P═NSiMe(3))(2))] (5), [TpTh(C(Ph(2)P═NSiMe(3))(2))Cl] (6), and [TpU(C(Ph(2)P═NSiMe(3))(2))Cl] (7) were generated from 2 or 3 by further reaction with 2 equiv of thallium(I) cyclopentadienide (CpTl) in THF to yield 4 or 5 or with 1 equiv of potassium hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl) borate (TpK) also in THF to give 6 or 7, respectively. The derivative complexes were isolated, and their crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction.

Inhibition of enzyme activity by nanomaterials: potential mechanisms and implications for nanotoxicity testing.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether nanoparticle-exposure affects enzyme function and to determine the mechanisms responsible. Silicon, Au, and CdSe nanoparticles were synthesized in house and their physicochemical properties were characterized. The activity of purified lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was inhibited or abolished by all nanoparticles tested.

A geminal dithallated bis(iminodiphenylphosphorano)methine carbon bridged dimer bound by Tl-Tl interactions.

A geminal dithallated bis(iminodiphenylphosphorano)methine carbon complex was prepared and isolated as a solid dimer, stable in an inert atmosphere. It has been fully characterized in both solution and solid states. Bonding has been assessed with the aid of DFT calculations.

Solid-state 115In and 31P NMR studies of triarylphosphine indium trihalide adducts.

Solid-state (115)In and (31)P NMR spectroscopy, relativistic density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction were used to investigate a series of triarylphosphine indium(III) trihalide adducts, X(3)In(PR(3)) and X(3)In(PR(3))(2) (X = Cl, Br or I; PR(3) = triarylphosphine ligand). The electric field gradient tensors at indium as well as the indium and phosphorus magnetic shielding tensors and the direct and indirect (115)In-(31)P spin-spin coupling were characterized; for complexes possessing a C(3) symmetry axis, the anisotropy in the indirect spin-spin coupling, DeltaJ((115)In,(31)P), was also determined. The (115)In quadrupolar coupling constants, C(Q)((115)In), range from +/-1.

Solid-state (115)In NMR study of indium coordination complexes.

The feasibility of solid-state (115)In NMR studies is demonstrated by an examination of four different coordination complexes: indium(III) acetylacetonate, indium(III) tris(tropolonato), indium(III) triiodide bis(tris(4-methoxyphenyl)phosphine oxide) and indium(III) trichloride tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)phosphine. The results provide information about the electric field gradients and magnetic shielding at the indium nuclei through the nuclear quadrupolar and chemical shift parameters, respectively. The C(Q) values in these four complexes range between 106.

Modification of binuclear Pt-Tl bonded complexes by attaching bipyridine ligands to the thallium site.

Complex formation of monomeric thallium(III) species with 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) in dimethyl sulfoxide (dmso) and acetonitrile solutions was studied by means of multinuclear ((1)H, (13)C, and (205)Tl) NMR spectroscopy. For the first time, NMR signals of the individual species [Tl(bipy)(m)(solv)](3+) (m = 1-3) were observed despite intensive ligand and solvent exchange processes. The tris(bipy) complex was crystallized as [Tl(bipy)(3)(dmso)](ClO(4))(3)(dmso)(2) (1), and its crystal structure determined.

The trigonal-bipyramidal triiodothallium(III) complex [TlI(3)[(CH(3))(2)SO]2].

The title compound, bis(dimethyl sulfoxide)triiodothallium(III), [TlI(3)(C(2)H(6)OS)(2)], was crystallized from equimolar amounts of Tl(I)I and I(2) in a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution. After the initial redox reaction, the thallium(III)-iodo complex forms and precipitates as a DMSO solvate. In the crystal structure, Tl is surrounded by three iodide ligands in the equatorial plane and two O-coordinated DMSO molecules in the axial positions, forming a slightly distorted trigonal bipyramid.