Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) are employed in a variety of medical and non-medical applications. Over the past two decades, there has been substantial research on the impact of metallic nanoparticles on algae and cyanobacteria, which are at the base of aquatic food webs. In this review, the current status of our understanding of mechanisms of uptake and toxicity of MNPs and metal ions released from MNPs after dissolution in the surrounding environment were discussed. Also, the trophic transfer of MNPs in aquatic food webs was analyzed in this review. Approximately all metallic nanoparticles cause toxicity in algae. Predominantly, MNPs are less toxic compared to their corresponding metal ions. There is a sufficient evidence for the trophic transfer of MNPs in aquatic food webs. Internalization of MNPs is indisputable in algae, however, mechanisms of their transmembrane transport are inadequately known. Most of the toxicity studies are carried out with solitary species of MNPs under laboratory conditions rarely found in natural ecosystems. Oxidative stress is the primary toxicity mechanism of MNPs, however, oxidative stress seems a general response predictable to other abiotic stresses. MNP-specific toxicity in an algal cell is yet unknown. Lastly, the mechanism of MNP internalization, toxicity, and excretion in algae needs to be understood carefully for the risk assessment of MNPs to aquatic biota.

金属纳米颗粒（MNP）用于多种医学和非医学应用。在过去的二十年中，对金属纳米颗粒对藻类和蓝细菌的影响进行了大量研究，而藻类和蓝细菌是水生食物网的基础。在这篇综述中，讨论了我们对溶解在周围环境中后MNP和MNP释放的金属离子的吸收和毒性机理的理解的现状。此外，本评价还分析了水生食物网中MNP的营养转移。几乎所有的金属纳米颗粒都会对藻类产生毒性。与相应的金属离子相比，MNP主要具有较低的毒性。有充分的证据证明水生食物网中MNP的营养转移。在藻类中，MNP的内在化是无可争议的，但是，跨膜转运的机制尚不充分。大多数毒性研究都是在自然生态系统中很少发现的实验室条件下对MNP的单种物种进行的。氧化应激是MNPs的主要毒性机制，然而，氧化应激似乎是对其他非生物胁迫可预测的一般反应。藻细胞中MNP的特异性毒性尚不清楚。最后，需要仔细了解藻类中MNP内在化，毒性和排泄的机制，以评估MNP对水生生物的风险。氧化应激似乎是对其他非生物胁迫可预测的一般反应。藻细胞中MNP的特异性毒性尚不清楚。最后，需要仔细了解藻类中MNP内在化，毒性和排泄的机制，以评估MNP对水生生物的风险。氧化应激似乎是对其他非生物应激可预测的一般反应。藻细胞中MNP的特异性毒性尚不清楚。最后，需要仔细了解藻类中MNP内在化，毒性和排泄的机制，以评估MNP对水生生物的风险。