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Translocation and biotoxicity of metal (oxide) nanoparticles in the wetland-plant system

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Abstract

Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) threaten the environment through wastewater discharging. Generally, constructed wetlands (CWs) are efficient methods for ENPs removal. However, the biotoxicity of ENPs on plants in CWs is unclear. Here, we investigated the distribution and bio-impacts of different ENPs (Ag NPs, TiO2 NPs, and CeO2 NPs) in plants under 5- and 60-day exposure to 1 and 50 mg/L concentrations. Results showed that ENPs appeared in the vascular bundle and mesophyll cell space, which induced the variation in antioxidase activities (e.g., superoxide dismutase [SOD], peroxidase [POD], and catalase [CAT] activities) as well as overproduction of malondialdehyde (MDA). Additionally, Ag NPs inhibited photosynthesis rate and root activity during two exposure phases. CeO2 NPs had positive and negative impacts on plants in 5- and 60-day exposure, respectively. Inversely, TiO2 NPs enhanced photosynthesis and root activity under 60-day exposure. Finally, the contents of the C, N, and P elements in plants fluctuated in response to ENPs stress. All results have a positive correlation with the wetland performance under ENPs exposure except for TiO2 NPs treatment. Overall, our study systematically reveals aquatic plants’ responses to ENPs and provides a reference for building ecological treatment systems to purify wastewater containing ENPs.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51708056), the National Major Project of Pollution Control and Treatment Science and Technology (Grant No. 2017ZX07401003-4), and Chongqing Talents Plan for Young Talents (No. CQY201905062). We also thank the Analytical and Testing Center of Chongqing University for SEM and TEM imaging.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Region’s Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China

    Xiangyu Yang, Qiang He, Fucheng Guo, Xiaobo Liu & Yi Chen

  2. National Centre for International Research of Low-Carbon and Green Buildings, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China

    Xiangyu Yang, Qiang He, Fucheng Guo, Xiaobo Liu & Yi Chen

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  1. Xiangyu Yang
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  2. Qiang He
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  3. Fucheng Guo
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  4. Xiaobo Liu
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  5. Yi Chen
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Correspondence to Yi Chen.

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Highlights

• Aquatic plants are more likely to absorb TiO2 NPs that are beneficial to them.

• Ag NPs inhibited the growth of aquatic plants under both 5- and 60-day exposure.

• CeO2 NPs had positive/negative impact on plant in 5/60-day exposure, respectively.

• TiO2 NPs presence could enhance the photosynthesis and increase the plant biomass.

• The ENPs changed plant activity, which resulted in changes of wetland performance.

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Yang, X., He, Q., Guo, F. et al. Translocation and biotoxicity of metal (oxide) nanoparticles in the wetland-plant system. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng. 15, 138 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-021-1432-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-021-1432-4

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