Nanotechnology Sustainability Research Group, Natural Resources and the Environment, CSIR

Abstract

Growth in the production and use of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) has raised concerns with regard to their potential impact on the environment, and aquatic media in particular. These materials mostly consist of metal nanoparticles and their oxides, which could be released in large quantities into aquatic environments. At present, assessment of the risk posed by these pollutants is stymied by the severe lack of information on the effects of nanoparticles on the environment, since they behave differently from their bulk material counterparts. It is therefore imperative that the potential risks that may be associated with ENMs are identified as soon as possible in what can at present still be considered to be the early stages of nanotechnology development. Therefore, this project was initiated to investigate the potential impact of ENMs on aquatic invertebrates using both experimental approaches (bioassays) and modelling methods.