Shuo Qian, Honghai Zhang, Wellington C Leite, Andrew Edward Whitten, Piotr Zolnierczuk, Yue Yuan, Qiu Zhang
Plastic waste is now pervasive in the environment, breaking down into microplastics and nanoplastics under many environmental conditions. These particles have been found in various ecosystems and even in human tissues, raising significant environmental and health concerns. In this study, we investigated the interaction of polystyrene nanoplastics, with and without surface modifications, on biomembrane structures using contrast-matching small-angle neutron scattering and neutron spin echo spectroscopy. The neutron contrast matching enabled selective study of biomembranes in the presence of nanoplastics. Two model membranes were employed: a simple zwitterionic bilayer (i.e., dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine [DMPC]) and an Escherichia coli lipid extract as a bacterial membrane model. The results show profound membrane disruptions, including possible thinning, vesicle fragmentation, lipid monolayer formation, and inter-vesicle aggregation, with the more severe effects observed in DMPC membranes. Notably, E. coli membranes exhibited greater resilience, suggesting that natural membranes with diverse lipid compositions may reduce susceptibility to perturbation by extracellular nanoplastics. These findings highlight potential risks posed by environmental nanoplastic particles to biological membranes, with insights into molecular-level interactions and the environmental toxicity of nanoplastics. This work provides a foundation for future studies into nanoplastic–biomembrane interactions and their broader implications for health and environment using neutrons.
{"title":"Perturbation of Nanoplastics on Biomembranes: Molecular Insights from Neutron Scattering","authors":"Shuo Qian, Honghai Zhang, Wellington C Leite, Andrew Edward Whitten, Piotr Zolnierczuk, Yue Yuan, Qiu Zhang","doi":"10.1039/d5en00747j","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5en00747j","url":null,"abstract":"Plastic waste is now pervasive in the environment, breaking down into microplastics and nanoplastics under many environmental conditions. These particles have been found in various ecosystems and even in human tissues, raising significant environmental and health concerns. In this study, we investigated the interaction of polystyrene nanoplastics, with and without surface modifications, on biomembrane structures using contrast-matching small-angle neutron scattering and neutron spin echo spectroscopy. The neutron contrast matching enabled selective study of biomembranes in the presence of nanoplastics. Two model membranes were employed: a simple zwitterionic bilayer (i.e., dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine [DMPC]) and an Escherichia coli lipid extract as a bacterial membrane model. The results show profound membrane disruptions, including possible thinning, vesicle fragmentation, lipid monolayer formation, and inter-vesicle aggregation, with the more severe effects observed in DMPC membranes. Notably, E. coli membranes exhibited greater resilience, suggesting that natural membranes with diverse lipid compositions may reduce susceptibility to perturbation by extracellular nanoplastics. These findings highlight potential risks posed by environmental nanoplastic particles to biological membranes, with insights into molecular-level interactions and the environmental toxicity of nanoplastics. This work provides a foundation for future studies into nanoplastic–biomembrane interactions and their broader implications for health and environment using neutrons.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147393733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Black phosphorus nanomaterials (BPNMs) composed of the essential element phosphorus-including nanosheets and quantum dots-have attracted growing interest due to their distinctive structure, tunable physicochemical properties, and broad applications in biomedicine, catalysis, and electronics. However, their environmental stability and potential toxicity necessitate a deeper exploration of interactions with biological systems. This review systematically summarizes the current understanding of BPNM accumulation, distribution, and toxicity across multiple biological systems, ranging from microorganisms and algae to fish and mammals. In aquatic species, BPNMs can adhere to cell surfaces, penetrate membranes, and induce oxidative stress, growth inhibition, and developmental defects. In mammals, they accumulate in major organs and tumor tissues via endocytosis, causing transient toxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation. These biological behaviors are strongly influenced by size, concentration, surface modifications, and degradation. Despite progress, substantial gaps remain in understanding long-term impacts and molecular mechanisms of BPNMs with organism species, and their concentrations and critical environmental processes in real-world environment. We highlight key factors regulating biological interactions, discuss the roles of surface functionalization and degradation in mitigating risks, and propose future research priorities, including field-based measurements in environmental matrices, chronic exposure studies, health effects, and thus mechanistic elucidation. This review provides a comprehensive scientific basis for assessing the environmental and health risks of BPNMs and guiding their safe applications.
{"title":"Accumulation, Distribution, and Toxicity of Black Phosphorus Nanomaterials Across Biological Systems: A Critical Review","authors":"Bo-Wen Li, Wen-Jing Wang, Rui-Si Liang, Shuai-Zhen Qian, Xing Gao, Xiao-Qing Xu, Huan He, Yue-Yue Liu, Ai-Jun Miao, Bin Huang","doi":"10.1039/d5en01190f","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5en01190f","url":null,"abstract":"Black phosphorus nanomaterials (BPNMs) composed of the essential element phosphorus-including nanosheets and quantum dots-have attracted growing interest due to their distinctive structure, tunable physicochemical properties, and broad applications in biomedicine, catalysis, and electronics. However, their environmental stability and potential toxicity necessitate a deeper exploration of interactions with biological systems. This review systematically summarizes the current understanding of BPNM accumulation, distribution, and toxicity across multiple biological systems, ranging from microorganisms and algae to fish and mammals. In aquatic species, BPNMs can adhere to cell surfaces, penetrate membranes, and induce oxidative stress, growth inhibition, and developmental defects. In mammals, they accumulate in major organs and tumor tissues via endocytosis, causing transient toxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation. These biological behaviors are strongly influenced by size, concentration, surface modifications, and degradation. Despite progress, substantial gaps remain in understanding long-term impacts and molecular mechanisms of BPNMs with organism species, and their concentrations and critical environmental processes in real-world environment. We highlight key factors regulating biological interactions, discuss the roles of surface functionalization and degradation in mitigating risks, and propose future research priorities, including field-based measurements in environmental matrices, chronic exposure studies, health effects, and thus mechanistic elucidation. This review provides a comprehensive scientific basis for assessing the environmental and health risks of BPNMs and guiding their safe applications.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"53 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147383909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Iran Augusto Neves da Silva, Agnes Paulus, Valeriia Skoryk, Kar Yan Su, Fátima Herranz-Trillo, Oxana Klementieva
Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants with increasing implications for human health. While their presence in human tissues is established, the molecular mechanisms driving their potential neurotoxicity remain unclear. This study investigates the impact of polystyrene (PS) on amyloid protein misfolding and cellular metabolism using Optical Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy, a label-free, sub-diffraction imaging technique. Our results reveal that PS exposure promotes pathological protein misfolding, specifically decreasing β-sheet-rich conformations, and disrupts metabolic homeostasis at sub-lethal doses. These suggest that the nanoplastic surface acts as a catalytic scaffold for amyloid aggregation, driving cellular dysfunction prior to acute toxicity. This identifies a plausible molecular pathway by which environmental MNP pollution contributes to the risk and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting the need for risk assessments that look beyond simple cell survival.
{"title":"Polystyrene Nanoplastic Exposure Promotes Amyloid Misfolding and Metabolic Impairment at Sub-Lethal Doses. A Subcellular Infrared Imaging Study","authors":"Iran Augusto Neves da Silva, Agnes Paulus, Valeriia Skoryk, Kar Yan Su, Fátima Herranz-Trillo, Oxana Klementieva","doi":"10.1039/d5en01181g","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5en01181g","url":null,"abstract":"Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants with increasing implications for human health. While their presence in human tissues is established, the molecular mechanisms driving their potential neurotoxicity remain unclear. This study investigates the impact of polystyrene (PS) on amyloid protein misfolding and cellular metabolism using Optical Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy, a label-free, sub-diffraction imaging technique. Our results reveal that PS exposure promotes pathological protein misfolding, specifically decreasing β-sheet-rich conformations, and disrupts metabolic homeostasis at sub-lethal doses. These suggest that the nanoplastic surface acts as a catalytic scaffold for amyloid aggregation, driving cellular dysfunction prior to acute toxicity. This identifies a plausible molecular pathway by which environmental MNP pollution contributes to the risk and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting the need for risk assessments that look beyond simple cell survival.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"4 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147384099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Considering the serious issues of global warming and food security, novel technologies are required in agriculture to enhance productivity from the available arable land. Abiotic stresses, including salinity, drought, and pollution, have led to considerable agricultural losses. Nanotechnology offers potential solutions for cultivating crops under adverse conditions. This review examines the implications of metal-free graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanomaterials in agriculture and their interaction with the plant systems. g-C3N4 is a rich source of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) and has diverse applications. Elements like C and N are essential for plants to complete their life cycle. Additionally, they play key roles in the physicochemical and microbial dynamics of the soil. The fluorescence property of g-C3N4 has been reported to enhance photosynthesis in plants through artificial light harvesting. Photosynthesis influences carbohydrate synthesis and produces more biomass at harvest time. Additionally, g-C3N4 activates antioxidant enzymes under plant stress conditions. Owing to the intrinsic properties of g-C3N4, it has been identified as a potential candidate for pollutant degradation and associated stress mitigation. The biocompatibility, accumulation in the plant system, and industrial scalability of g-C3N4 are discussed in this review. Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG, 2030) 2, 3, 6, 12, and 13, this review explores the potential of g-C3N4 for yield enhancement in agriculture. Additionally, this review serves as a reference to encourage the use of biocompatible g-C3N4 in agroecosystems.
{"title":"Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) nanomaterials for foliar applications and soil–water remediation in agriculture: a review","authors":"Rajasekaran Jayasoorya, Thangavel Pradeesh Kumar, Selvaraj Mohana Roopan","doi":"10.1039/d5en00446b","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5en00446b","url":null,"abstract":"Considering the serious issues of global warming and food security, novel technologies are required in agriculture to enhance productivity from the available arable land. Abiotic stresses, including salinity, drought, and pollution, have led to considerable agricultural losses. Nanotechnology offers potential solutions for cultivating crops under adverse conditions. This review examines the implications of metal-free graphitic carbon nitride (g-C<small><sub>3</sub></small>N<small><sub>4</sub></small>) nanomaterials in agriculture and their interaction with the plant systems. g-C<small><sub>3</sub></small>N<small><sub>4</sub></small> is a rich source of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) and has diverse applications. Elements like C and N are essential for plants to complete their life cycle. Additionally, they play key roles in the physicochemical and microbial dynamics of the soil. The fluorescence property of g-C<small><sub>3</sub></small>N<small><sub>4</sub></small> has been reported to enhance photosynthesis in plants through artificial light harvesting. Photosynthesis influences carbohydrate synthesis and produces more biomass at harvest time. Additionally, g-C<small><sub>3</sub></small>N<small><sub>4</sub></small> activates antioxidant enzymes under plant stress conditions. Owing to the intrinsic properties of g-C<small><sub>3</sub></small>N<small><sub>4</sub></small>, it has been identified as a potential candidate for pollutant degradation and associated stress mitigation. The biocompatibility, accumulation in the plant system, and industrial scalability of g-C<small><sub>3</sub></small>N<small><sub>4</sub></small> are discussed in this review. Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG, 2030) 2, 3, 6, 12, and 13, this review explores the potential of g-C<small><sub>3</sub></small>N<small><sub>4</sub></small> for yield enhancement in agriculture. Additionally, this review serves as a reference to encourage the use of biocompatible g-C<small><sub>3</sub></small>N<small><sub>4</sub></small> in agroecosystems.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"77 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147393328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marie-Léonie Bohlen, Hyun Pyo Jeon, Hana Jo, Yeojin Lee
Applying regulatory-accepted, standardised test guidelines to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) presents challenges. These challenges arise from the inherent physicochemical characteristics of MWCNTs to form entangled, highly cohesive bundles that agglomerate rapidly. Consequently, many test methods are not suitable for these materials. In this study, we evaluated the applicability of existing standardised analytical methods and explored potential alternatives suitable for MWCNTs. Our focus was on EU-REACH data requirements related to substance identification and physicochemical properties, particularly size, shape, and dustiness. We successfully established a non-invasive method to measure the length of individual carbon nanotubes within MWCNT bundle agglomerates that does not break the individual tubes.
{"title":"Experimental approaches to data generation for REACH compliance of multi-walled carbon nanotubes: substance identification","authors":"Marie-Léonie Bohlen, Hyun Pyo Jeon, Hana Jo, Yeojin Lee","doi":"10.1039/d5en01017a","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5en01017a","url":null,"abstract":"Applying regulatory-accepted, standardised test guidelines to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) presents challenges. These challenges arise from the inherent physicochemical characteristics of MWCNTs to form entangled, highly cohesive bundles that agglomerate rapidly. Consequently, many test methods are not suitable for these materials. In this study, we evaluated the applicability of existing standardised analytical methods and explored potential alternatives suitable for MWCNTs. Our focus was on EU-REACH data requirements related to substance identification and physicochemical properties, particularly size, shape, and dustiness. We successfully established a non-invasive method to measure the length of individual carbon nanotubes within MWCNT bundle agglomerates that does not break the individual tubes.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"127 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147439945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gabriela Weglinska, Jakub Hoser, Piotr Bednarczyk, Miroslaw Zajac
Plastic pollution is an escalating global concern, as the degradation of plastic waste generates micro- and nanoplastics that can be ingested by living organisms and interact with the intestinal epithelial barrier. However, the effects of nanoplastics on human intestinal epithelial function, particularly with respect to transepithelial ion transport, remain insufficiently understood. To better understand the effects of nanoplastics on the intestinal epithelium, we aimed to investigate the impact of 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) on mucus secretion, ion transport, and epithelial integrity in the human intestinal epithelial cell line Caco-2. The cellular response to nanoplastic exposure was assessed by measuring cytotoxicity, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), and cell migration. Transepithelial ion transport was assessed in Ussing chamber system on treated and untreated Caco-2 cell monolayers, and the activity of specific ion-channels was analysed using selective pharmacological modulators. Despite some alterations, nanoplastic exposure did not exert marked cytotoxic effects, changes in barrier integrity, and in cell migration. Ion transport analysis revealed decreased CFTR activity and enhanced CaCC activity in nanoplastic-treated cell monolayers. Nanoplastic exposure also induced an increase in mucus secretion. These findings suggest that polystyrene nanoplastics modulate intestinal epithelial ion transport and stimulate mucus secretion, which may be associated with TMEM16A activation. This response may represent a protective mechanism of intestinal epithelial cells against nanoplastic exposure.
{"title":"The effect of polystyrene nanoplastic on ion channels and mucus secretion – insights from Caco-2 cell model","authors":"Gabriela Weglinska, Jakub Hoser, Piotr Bednarczyk, Miroslaw Zajac","doi":"10.1039/d5en01169h","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5en01169h","url":null,"abstract":"Plastic pollution is an escalating global concern, as the degradation of plastic waste generates micro- and nanoplastics that can be ingested by living organisms and interact with the intestinal epithelial barrier. However, the effects of nanoplastics on human intestinal epithelial function, particularly with respect to transepithelial ion transport, remain insufficiently understood. To better understand the effects of nanoplastics on the intestinal epithelium, we aimed to investigate the impact of 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) on mucus secretion, ion transport, and epithelial integrity in the human intestinal epithelial cell line Caco-2. The cellular response to nanoplastic exposure was assessed by measuring cytotoxicity, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), and cell migration. Transepithelial ion transport was assessed in Ussing chamber system on treated and untreated Caco-2 cell monolayers, and the activity of specific ion-channels was analysed using selective pharmacological modulators. Despite some alterations, nanoplastic exposure did not exert marked cytotoxic effects, changes in barrier integrity, and in cell migration. Ion transport analysis revealed decreased CFTR activity and enhanced CaCC activity in nanoplastic-treated cell monolayers. Nanoplastic exposure also induced an increase in mucus secretion. These findings suggest that polystyrene nanoplastics modulate intestinal epithelial ion transport and stimulate mucus secretion, which may be associated with TMEM16A activation. This response may represent a protective mechanism of intestinal epithelial cells against nanoplastic exposure.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"148 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147383915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marie-Léonie Bohlen, Hyun Pyo Jeon, Hana Jo, Yeojin Lee, Jan Oltmanns
Applying regulatory-accepted, standardised test guidelines to solid, non-dispersible nanomaterials is challenging, primarily due to the difficulty of generating a homogenous exposure medium. Additional challenges arise from the physicochemical characteristics of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which are typically light and exist as entangled bundles. This study evaluated the applicability of available standardised in vitro/in chemico OECD test guidelines (TGs) for animal-free human health testing and explored potential adaptations to make them suitable for MWCNTs. Our focus was on EU-REACH data requirements related to in vitro serious eye damage/irritation, in chemico skin sensitisation, and in vitro gene mutation in mammalian cells. We assessed the applicability of OECD TG 492B, TG 442D/442E, and TG 476 for these endpoints. Our findings indicate that adequate data may only be generated if solid nanomaterials can be applied as such (as in OECD TG 492B), or if nano-specific dispersion protocols are available for an endpoint (as in genotoxicity testing), whereas significant limitations remain for skin sensitisation testing.
{"title":"Experimental approaches to data generation for REACH compliance of multi-walled carbon nanotubes: human health in vitro/in chemico","authors":"Marie-Léonie Bohlen, Hyun Pyo Jeon, Hana Jo, Yeojin Lee, Jan Oltmanns","doi":"10.1039/d5en01019e","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5en01019e","url":null,"abstract":"Applying regulatory-accepted, standardised test guidelines to solid, non-dispersible nanomaterials is challenging, primarily due to the difficulty of generating a homogenous exposure medium. Additional challenges arise from the physicochemical characteristics of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which are typically light and exist as entangled bundles. This study evaluated the applicability of available standardised <em>in vitro/in chemico</em> OECD test guidelines (TGs) for animal-free human health testing and explored potential adaptations to make them suitable for MWCNTs. Our focus was on EU-REACH data requirements related to <em>in vitro</em> serious eye damage/irritation, <em>in chemico</em> skin sensitisation, and <em>in vitro</em> gene mutation in mammalian cells. We assessed the applicability of OECD TG 492B, TG 442D/442E, and TG 476 for these endpoints. Our findings indicate that adequate data may only be generated if solid nanomaterials can be applied as such (as in OECD TG 492B), or if nano-specific dispersion protocols are available for an endpoint (as in genotoxicity testing), whereas significant limitations remain for skin sensitisation testing.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147383877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marie-Léonie Bohlen, Stefan Gartiser, Hyun Pyo Jeon, Hana Jo, Yeojin Lee, Jan Oltmanns, Markus Schwarz
Applying regulatory-accepted, standardised test guidelines to carbon-based nanomaterials is challenging. A primary difficulty is to analytically distinguish these nanomaterials from the high carbon background of the environment. Further challenges arise from the physicochemical characteristics of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which form entangled, highly cohesive bundles that agglomerate rapidly. As a result, many analytical methods are not suitable. This study evaluated the applicability of existing standardised analytical methods and explored potential alternatives. We focused on EU-REACH data requirements related to environmental fate, specifically nanomaterial dissolution, dispersion stability, and adsorption/desorption properties. Additionally, we assessed the feasibility of a sewage treatment plant (STP) simulation study according to OECD TG 303A, considering various analytical methods, including isotopic signatures. The findings of this study highlight challenges and novel analytical approaches in generating data for REACH registration purposes, and identify research needs.
{"title":"Experimental approaches to data generation for REACH compliance of multi-walled carbon nanotubes: environmental fate","authors":"Marie-Léonie Bohlen, Stefan Gartiser, Hyun Pyo Jeon, Hana Jo, Yeojin Lee, Jan Oltmanns, Markus Schwarz","doi":"10.1039/d5en01018g","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5en01018g","url":null,"abstract":"Applying regulatory-accepted, standardised test guidelines to carbon-based nanomaterials is challenging. A primary difficulty is to analytically distinguish these nanomaterials from the high carbon background of the environment. Further challenges arise from the physicochemical characteristics of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which form entangled, highly cohesive bundles that agglomerate rapidly. As a result, many analytical methods are not suitable. This study evaluated the applicability of existing standardised analytical methods and explored potential alternatives. We focused on EU-REACH data requirements related to environmental fate, specifically nanomaterial dissolution, dispersion stability, and adsorption/desorption properties. Additionally, we assessed the feasibility of a sewage treatment plant (STP) simulation study according to OECD TG 303A, considering various analytical methods, including isotopic signatures. The findings of this study highlight challenges and novel analytical approaches in generating data for REACH registration purposes, and identify research needs.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147383914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Asya Drenkova-Tuhtan, Irina Blinova, Mariliis Sihtmäe, Villem Aruoja, Alla Khosrovyan, Anne Kahru
This study evaluated the ecotoxicity of 11 metal oxide/hydroxide nanocomposite adsorbents for advanced magnetic removal/recovery of phosphorus from wastewater using four test organisms representing different aquatic trophic levels: bacteria Vibrio fischeri, crustaceans Daphnia magna, algae Raphidocelis subcapitata and midge Chironomus riparius larvae. The nanocomposites (d50 < 10 μm) were synthesized as co-precipitates of 2-, 3- and/or 4-valent metal precursors (Zn2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe3+, Zr4+) at varying molar ratios. The shedding of precursor metals in toxic concentrations was observed only for the Zn-containing adsorbents. The acute toxicity of the Zn-containing composites ranged from “harmful” to bacteria (10 < 30 min EC50 ≤ 100 mg L−1), “toxic” to crustaceans (1 < 48 h EC50 ≤ 10 mg L−1) and “very toxic” to midge larvae and algae (24 h LC50 ≤ 1 mg L−1). As a rule, their toxicity correlated with the concentration of shed Zn-ions. All nanocomposites, regardless of their composition, proved very toxic to algae, i.e. remarkably inhibited algal growth (72 h EC50 ≤ 1 mg L−1). The latter effect could be explained by (i) shed Zn-ions in case of Zn-containing materials as algae are very sensitive to heavy metals, (ii) composites-induced phosphorus removal from the algal growth medium and (iii) entrapment of algal cells into particle agglomerates. Importantly, the most-promising benchmark material ZnFeZr-6 : 1 : 1 (V. fischeri EC50 = 118 mg L−1; D. magna EC50 = 7.7 mg L−1; C. riparius LC50 = 0.59 mg L−1) proved safe for bacteria and crustaceans once deposited on magnetic particles ZnFeZr-6 : 1 : 1@MPs yielding EC50 > 100 mg L−1. Summing up, although Zn enhances the adsorbent selectivity and reusability, all Zn-containing P-adsorbents are questionable in terms of ecosafety and thus not recommended for engineering applications in open systems.
{"title":"Emerging investigator series: environmental safety assessment of 11 novel metal oxide/hydroxide nanocomposite adsorbents for advanced magnetic removal and recovery of phosphorus from wastewater","authors":"Asya Drenkova-Tuhtan, Irina Blinova, Mariliis Sihtmäe, Villem Aruoja, Alla Khosrovyan, Anne Kahru","doi":"10.1039/d5en00887e","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5en00887e","url":null,"abstract":"This study evaluated the ecotoxicity of 11 metal oxide/hydroxide nanocomposite adsorbents for advanced magnetic removal/recovery of phosphorus from wastewater using four test organisms representing different aquatic trophic levels: bacteria <em>Vibrio fischeri</em>, crustaceans <em>Daphnia magna</em>, algae <em>Raphidocelis subcapitata</em> and midge <em>Chironomus riparius</em> larvae. The nanocomposites (<em>d</em><small><sub>50</sub></small> < 10 μm) were synthesized as co-precipitates of 2-, 3- and/or 4-valent metal precursors (Zn<small><sup>2+</sup></small>, Ca<small><sup>2+</sup></small>, Mg<small><sup>2+</sup></small>, Fe<small><sup>3+</sup></small>, Zr<small><sup>4+</sup></small>) at varying molar ratios. The shedding of precursor metals in toxic concentrations was observed only for the Zn-containing adsorbents. The acute toxicity of the Zn-containing composites ranged from “harmful” to bacteria (10 < 30 min EC<small><sub>50</sub></small> ≤ 100 mg L<small><sup>−1</sup></small>), “toxic” to crustaceans (1 < 48 h EC<small><sub>50</sub></small> ≤ 10 mg L<small><sup>−1</sup></small>) and “very toxic” to midge larvae and algae (24 h LC<small><sub>50</sub></small> ≤ 1 mg L<small><sup>−1</sup></small>). As a rule, their toxicity correlated with the concentration of shed Zn-ions. All nanocomposites, regardless of their composition, proved very toxic to algae, <em>i.e.</em> remarkably inhibited algal growth (72 h EC<small><sub>50</sub></small> ≤ 1 mg L<small><sup>−1</sup></small>). The latter effect could be explained by (i) shed Zn-ions in case of Zn-containing materials as algae are very sensitive to heavy metals, (ii) composites-induced phosphorus removal from the algal growth medium and (iii) entrapment of algal cells into particle agglomerates. Importantly, the most-promising benchmark material ZnFeZr-6 : 1 : 1 (<em>V. fischeri</em> EC<small><sub>50</sub></small> = 118 mg L<small><sup>−1</sup></small>; <em>D. magna</em> EC<small><sub>50</sub></small> = 7.7 mg L<small><sup>−1</sup></small>; <em>C. riparius</em> LC<small><sub>50</sub></small> = 0.59 mg L<small><sup>−1</sup></small>) proved safe for bacteria and crustaceans once deposited on magnetic particles ZnFeZr-6 : 1 : 1@MPs yielding EC<small><sub>50</sub></small> > 100 mg L<small><sup>−1</sup></small>. Summing up, although Zn enhances the adsorbent selectivity and reusability, all Zn-containing P-adsorbents are questionable in terms of ecosafety and thus not recommended for engineering applications in open systems.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147393329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Víctor Calvo, Constanza J Venegas, Paulina Sierra-Rosales, Sara Miralles Cuevas, Alejandro Cabrera-Reina, Wolfgang K. Maser, Ana M. Benito, Jose Miguel Gonzalez-Dominguez
This work presents an electrochemical sensor designed as a process-monitoring tool for tracking sulfamethoxazole (SMX) during advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) under pilot-scale, realistic wastewater conditions. The sensor is based on eco-friendly aqueous inks combining carbon nanomaterials with nanostructured biopolymers, specifically carbon nanofibers with cellulose nanocrystals (CNF/CNC) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes with chitin nanocrystals (CNT/ChNC), which were deposited onto glassy carbon electrodes (GDE) to enhance the electrochemical response toward SMX. Among the tested configurations, the CNF/CNC-based sensor exhibited the best performance for SMX monitoring in the mg/L concentration range, combining a wide linear response and a detection limit of 0.17 mg/L with robust, reproducible behavior. Sensor calibration and performance were evaluated in both ultrapure water and synthetic hospital wastewater, highlighting the impact of matrix effects while confirming reliable operation under complex conditions. Crucially, the sensor was validated during the monitoring of SMX degradation in a pilot-scale solar photo-Fenton process operated at circumneutral pH using Fe3+-EDDS as catalyst, with electrochemical measurements showing excellent agreement with UHPLC-DAD reference analyses (Pearson’s r>0.99). Rather than targeting ultra-trace detection, this study demonstrates the potential of electrochemical sensing as a rapid, cost-effective, and near-real-time tool for process monitoring and control in high-load effluents, such as hospital and pharmaceutical wastewaters. These results bridge the gap between laboratory-scale sensor development and operational wastewater treatment applications, highlighting the relevance of sustainable nanocarbon–biopolymer inks for real-world environmental monitoring.
{"title":"Electrochemical detection of Sulfamethoxazole in water matrices using green nanomaterials: Pilot-scale validation in a Solar Photo-Fenton Process","authors":"Víctor Calvo, Constanza J Venegas, Paulina Sierra-Rosales, Sara Miralles Cuevas, Alejandro Cabrera-Reina, Wolfgang K. Maser, Ana M. Benito, Jose Miguel Gonzalez-Dominguez","doi":"10.1039/d6en00086j","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d6en00086j","url":null,"abstract":"This work presents an electrochemical sensor designed as a process-monitoring tool for tracking sulfamethoxazole (SMX) during advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) under pilot-scale, realistic wastewater conditions. The sensor is based on eco-friendly aqueous inks combining carbon nanomaterials with nanostructured biopolymers, specifically carbon nanofibers with cellulose nanocrystals (CNF/CNC) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes with chitin nanocrystals (CNT/ChNC), which were deposited onto glassy carbon electrodes (GDE) to enhance the electrochemical response toward SMX. Among the tested configurations, the CNF/CNC-based sensor exhibited the best performance for SMX monitoring in the mg/L concentration range, combining a wide linear response and a detection limit of 0.17 mg/L with robust, reproducible behavior. Sensor calibration and performance were evaluated in both ultrapure water and synthetic hospital wastewater, highlighting the impact of matrix effects while confirming reliable operation under complex conditions. Crucially, the sensor was validated during the monitoring of SMX degradation in a pilot-scale solar photo-Fenton process operated at circumneutral pH using Fe3+-EDDS as catalyst, with electrochemical measurements showing excellent agreement with UHPLC-DAD reference analyses (Pearson’s r>0.99). Rather than targeting ultra-trace detection, this study demonstrates the potential of electrochemical sensing as a rapid, cost-effective, and near-real-time tool for process monitoring and control in high-load effluents, such as hospital and pharmaceutical wastewaters. These results bridge the gap between laboratory-scale sensor development and operational wastewater treatment applications, highlighting the relevance of sustainable nanocarbon–biopolymer inks for real-world environmental monitoring.","PeriodicalId":73,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science: Nano","volume":"32 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.131,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147361029","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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