abstract
Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), such as silica mesoporous nanocapsules (SiNC), have emerged as a powerful tool for the controlled delivery and release of active compounds in various fields. However, the environmental impact of SiNC on marine biota, particularly when they enter the marine environment through wastewater effluents or direct release from maritime coatings, remains poorly understood. Studying their effects is thus crucial for environmental and human health protection, the development of safe-by-design ENMs, and informed policy-making. This study aims to assess the ecotoxicological effects and internalization of industrially-relevant SiNC in marine phytoplankton, namely on the microalgae Tetraselmis chuii, Nannochloropsis gaditana, and Isochrysis galbana, and diatoms Phaeodactylum tricornutum, and Chaetoceros calcitrans. For this purpose, a fluorescent nanocarrier (SiNC-UMB) is developed by labeling the SiNC with the fluorescent natural dye umbelliferone (UMB). UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopic analyses confirmed the successful loading of UMB into SiNC. Phytoplankton can internalize these ENMs, even at low concentrations, although adsorption to the cell wall can also occur. This confirms the internal exposure and growth inhibition observed in the microalgae. These findings highlight the potential of using SiNC-UMB as a valuable tool for tracking their uptake and assessing their effects on marine biota and beyond. Silica mesoporous nanocapsules (SiNC) labeled with the fluorescent dye umbelliferone can be internalized by marine microalgae even at low concentrations, although adsorption to the cell wall may also occur. Ecotoxicological findings on five marine microalgae species suggest there is space for optimization to be safely used for tracking purposes and/or assessment of SiNC effects on biota. image
keywords
MESOPOROUS SILICA NANOPARTICLES; ANTI-FOULING NANOMATERIALS; SILVER NANOPARTICLES; ECOTOXICITY; NANOCONTAINERS; SUBCAPITATA; APOPTOSIS; BIOCIDES; EFFICACY; HAZARD
subject category
Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
authors
Campos, BG; Kaczerewska, O; Oliveira, JMM; Figueiredo, J; Maia, F; Tedim, J; Sousa, I; Abessa, DMS; Loureiro, S; Martins, R
our authors
Isabel Cristina de Sá Correia de Sousa
Junior ResearcherProjects
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDP/50011/2020)
Associated Laboratory CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (LA/P/0006/2020)
acknowledgements
National funds (OE), through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [CIRCNA/BRB/0291/2019]; FCT [4265 DRI/FCT]; CAPES [88881.156405/2017-01]; Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) [2019/19898-3, 2017/10211-0]; FCT/MCTES [UIDP/50017/2020 + UIDB/50017/2020 + LA/P/0094/2020, UIDB/50011/ 2020, UIDP/50011/2020, LA/P/0006/2020]; National funds (OE), through FCT [2021.00386.CEECIND]; National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) [308533/2018-6]