An adaptable mesocosm platform for performing integrated assessments of nanomaterial risk in complex environmental systems

• DOI: 10.1038/srep05608
• Publication Date: 2014-07-08T09:03:20Z
• Authors: Mélanie Auffan; Marie Tella; Catherine Santaella; Lenka Brousset; Christine Paillès; Mohamed Barakat; Benjamin Espinasse; Ester Artells; Julien Issartel; Armand Masion; Jérôme Rose; Mark R. Wiesner; Wafa Achouak; Alain Thiéry; Jean-Yves Bottero
• Keywords: Mesocosm; Environmental Risk Assessment; Nanomaterials

Physical-chemists, (micro)biologists, and ecologists need to conduct meaningful experiments study the environmental risk of engineered nanomaterials with access relevant mechanistic data across several spatial temporal scales. Indoor aquatic mesocosms (60L) that can be tailored virtually mimic any ecosystem appear as a particularly well-suited device. Here, this concept is illustrated by pilot aimed at assessing distribution CeO₂-based nanomaterial within our system low concentration (1.5 mg/L). Physico-chemical well microbiological parameters took two weeks equilibrate. These were found reproducible 9-mesocosm setup over 45-day period time. Recovery mass balances 115 ± 18% 60 30% Ce obtained for pulse dosing chronic dosing, respectively. This demonstrated relevance experimental approach allows adequately monitoring fate impact given nanomaterial.