Responses of Periphyton to Fe2O3 Nanoparticles: A Physiological and Ecological Basis for Defending Nanotoxicity

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b02012
• Publication Date: 2017-08-17T18:38:34Z
• Authors: Jun Tang; Ningyuan Zhu; Yan Zhu; Junzhuo Liu; Chenxi Wu; Philip Kerr; Yonghong Wu; Paul K. S. Lam
• Keywords: Periphyton; Nanotoxicology

The toxic effects of nanoparticles on individual organisms have been widely investigated, while few studies investigated the ubiquitous multicommunity microbial aggregates. Here, periphyton as a model aggregates, was employed to investigate responses aggregates exposed continuously Fe2O3 (5.0 mg L-1) for 30 days. exposure results in chlorophyll (a, b, and c) contents increasing total antioxidant capacity decreasing. composition markedly changes presence species diversity significantly increases. were due allelochemicals, such 3-methylpentane, released by members which inhibit their competitors. functions represented metabolic capability contaminant (organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus copper) removal able acclimate via self-regulation morphology, diversity. These findings highlight importance both physiological ecological factors evaluating long-term nanoparticles.