Effect of Nano-Al 2 O 3 on the Toxicity and Oxidative Stress of Copper towards Scenedesmus obliquus

Xiaomin Li, Suyang Zhou and Wenhong Fan
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Xiaomin Li: Environment Science and Engineering, School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
Suyang Zhou: Environment Science and Engineering, School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
Wenhong Fan: Environment Science and Engineering, School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-15

Abstract: Nano-Al 2 O 3 has been widely used in various industries; unfortunately, it can be released into the aquatic environment. Although nano-Al 2 O 3 is believed to be of low toxicity, it can interact with other pollutants in water, such as heavy metals. However, the interactions between nano-Al 2 O 3 and heavy metals as well as the effect of nano-Al 2 O 3 on the toxicity of the metals have been rarely investigated. The current study investigated copper toxicity in the presence of nano-Al 2 O 3 towards Scenedesmus obliquus . Superoxide dismutase activity and concentration of glutathione and malondialdehyde in cells were determined in order to quantify oxidative stress in this study. Results showed that the presence of nano-Al 2 O 3 reduced the toxicity of Cu towards S. obliquus . The existence of nano-Al 2 O 3 decreased the growth inhibition of S. obliquus . The accumulation of copper and the level of oxidative stress in algae were reduced in the presence of nano-Al 2 O 3 . Furthermore, lower copper accumulation was the main factor that mitigated copper toxicity with the addition of nano-Al 2 O 3 . The decreased copper uptake could be attributed to the adsorption of copper onto nanoparticles and the subsequent decrease of available copper in water.

Keywords: nano-Al 2 O 3; copper; Scenedesmus obliquus; toxicity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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