|
Abstract:
University of South Carolina study finds manmade nanoparticles could contaminate marine food web
Landmark Study on Nanomaterials and the Environment
Posted on June 29th, 2009Too tiny to see or touch, manmade nanoparticles are increasingly becoming a byproduct of industry and chemical and pharmaceutical technology.
But once these super small materials enter the water supply, do they reach coastal areas and enter marshes and tidal zones, the complex environments where shellfish and finfish grow?
Researchers at the University of South Carolina's Nanocenter, working with scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Charleston, examined whether gold nanorods could readily pass from water to the marine food web.
Their findings, published online at Nature Nanotechnology, suggest that nanoparticles move easily into the marine food web and are absorbed in grasses, trapped in biofilms and consumed by filter feeders, such as clams.
"This is the first study to report on the fate of gold nanoparticles in a complex ecosystem containing sediments, biofilms, grasses, microscopic organisms, filter feeders and omnivores," said environmental chemist Dr. John L. Ferry of the University of South Carolina.
The gold nanorods were used in the study because of their ability to be traced, he said.
For the experiment, scientists at NOAA's Coastal Center for Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research created three estuarine mesocosms, experimental enclosures replicating a coastal ecosystem. In developing the coastal "labs," NOAA scientists constructed a tidal marsh creek, containing natural, unfiltered water from Wadmalaw Island; planted Spartina grass in sedimnents; and added clams, mud snails and grass shrimp. The gold nanorods were synthesized by researchers at USC and introduced into the ecosystems. At the end of the experiment, the USC team developed the techniques necessary to measure the fate of the nanoparticles and found that clams and biofilms accumulated the most.
"As the first experiment of its kind, we really didn't know what to expect," said Dr. Geoff Scott, (Director of Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research NOAA/NOS), who collaborated with Dr. Michael Fulton, (Estuaries and Land Use Acting Branch Chief, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular research/NOAA) . "This study enabled us to understand how these nanomaterials were transported through the ecosystem."
The research has implications for all coastal environments and will provide a baseline for future studies on the environmental impact of nanomaterials, Scott said.
The study is significant because it shows that manmade nanoparticles can enter the estuarine food and ultimately could find their way into the shellfish and fish that humans eat, said Ferry.
"This study is a road map for where we go next," he said. "We did not look at what happens ‘up the food chain.'"
"This landmark study points towards things to come in the near future", say Tom Vogt, Director of the NanoCenter at the University of South Carolina, "when we will enlarge our national and international R&D footprint even more by developing the recently endowed Center of Economic Excellence for Nanoenvironmental Research and Risk Assessment."
#### About University of South Carolina
The NanoCenter is the University’s focal point for science and engineering studies of nanometer-scale structures, their unique properties, and their integration into functional units. It fosters multidisciplinary research and education efforts involving faculty whose combined expertise spans the disciplines of a comprehensive research university, including the arts and sciences, engineering, and medicine, as well as other professional schools.
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
120 Sumwalt College
University of South Carolina
1212 Greene Street
Columbia, SC 29208
803.777.9927
Copyright © University of South Carolina
If you have a comment, please Contact us.Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Bookmark:
Chemistry
Borealis Discloses Technology for New Medical, Sensor, Chemical and Industrial Uses February 9th, 2010
The Eighteenth Annual International Conference on Composites/Nano Engineering (ICCE - 18) February 7th, 2010
Scientists Propose More Applications for Hydroxyapatite Nanocrystals February 6th, 2010
Dow Electronic Materials Joins SEMATECH’s Resist Materials and Development Center at UAlbany NanoCollege February 4th, 2010
Preparing for Nano
Conferences on EU nanotechnology governance framework — 11 Feb London February 8th, 2010
Nobel prize winning author to speak at UWG February 6th, 2010
FDA pledges review process makeover February 4th, 2010
US Health: Reducing Healthcare Fraud Is A Key Priority For HHS Reveals New Budget February 4th, 2010
Announcements
Composite nanomaterials show promise for solar hydrogen generation February 9th, 2010
New JEOL Microprobe Helps Advance Research Opportunities for Students and Industry in North Carolina February 9th, 2010
SEMATECH and ASML Form Partnership at UAlbany NanoCollege February 9th, 2010
Energy from Light and Water February 9th, 2010
Food/Agriculture/Supplements
Borealis Discloses Technology for New Medical, Sensor, Chemical and Industrial Uses February 9th, 2010
Enhanced Need for Agricultural and Environmental Monitoring Revs up Demand for Sensors, Finds Frost & Sullivan February 4th, 2010
Nanotech to cure diseases by entering patients' DNA January 31st, 2010
Next Generation TM3000 Tabletop Microscope From Hitachi Offers Improved Performance And A Smaller Footprint January 29th, 2010
Environment
Borealis Discloses Technology for New Medical, Sensor, Chemical and Industrial Uses February 9th, 2010
Collaboration on climate research in state unique February 8th, 2010
Rice celebrates the Year of Nano February 8th, 2010
Green Earth Technologies to Debut Ultimate Biodegradable, NMMA Certified, G-OIL(R) TC-W3(R) 2-Cycle Marine Oil at Miami International Boat Show February 8th, 2010
Personal Care
US Health: Reducing Healthcare Fraud Is A Key Priority For HHS Reveals New Budget February 4th, 2010
Toxicology of the Tiny February 4th, 2010
Is It “Nano” Cream? Or Isn’t It? February 2nd, 2010
Engineers Explore Environmental Concerns of Nanotechnology February 1st, 2010
Safety-Nanoparticles/Risk management
Conferences on EU nanotechnology governance framework — 11 Feb London February 8th, 2010
Trends in Nanotechnology Funding, Research and Business Converge in New Webinar Series February 5th, 2010
FDA pledges review process makeover February 4th, 2010
US Health: Reducing Healthcare Fraud Is A Key Priority For HHS Reveals New Budget February 4th, 2010
| 
