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HERO ID
1006110
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Accumulation and phytotoxicity of engineered nanoparticles to Cucurbita pepo
Author(s)
Hawthorne, J; Musante, C; Sinha, SK; White, JC
Year
2012
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
International Journal of Phytoremediation
ISSN:
1522-6514
EISSN:
1549-7879
Volume
14
Issue
4
Page Numbers
429-442
Language
English
PMID
22567722
DOI
10.1080/15226514.2011.620903
Abstract
The effect of bulk and engineered nanoparticle (NP) Ag, Au, Cu, Si, and C at 250 and 750 mg/L on zucchini biomass, transpiration, and element content was determined. The pH of bulk and NP solutions prior to plant growth frequently differed. Nanoparticle Cu solution pH was significantly higher than bulk Cu, whereas for Ag and C, the NPs had significantly lower pH. Plants were unaffected by Au, regardless of particle size or concentration. NP Ag reduced plant biomass and transpiration by 49-91% compared to equivalent bulk Ag. NP Si at 750 mg/L reduced plant growth and transpiration by 30-51% relative to bulk Si. Bulk and NP Cu were phytotoxic but much of the effect was alleviated by humic acid. The shoot Ag and Cu content did not differ based on particle size or concentration. The accumulation of bulk Au was greater than the NP, but humic acid increased the accumulation of NP and bulk Au by 5.6-fold and 80%, respectively. The uptake of NP Si was 5.6-6.5-fold greater than observed with the bulk element. These findings show that the NPs may have unique phytotoxicity or accumulation patterns and that solution properties can significantly impact particle fate and effects.
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Nanoscale Silver
Final Case Study
Exposure, Uptake and Dose
Effects
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