Please see also my NanoTox web site for more information.

Nanoparticles are being engineered as high-surface area spheres or rods that have specific chemical properties that are useful in manufacturing (ex: produce reactive oxygen species, ROS).  Little research has been done on the toxicity of these specifically engineered nanoparticles in terms of impacts on aquatic organisms or human exposures (other than inhalation).  One company is planning to produce more than 15,000 tons of this material next year, yet there is no toxicity data available.  There are two major areas of concern:  1.  How do filter-feeding organisms such as bivalve mollusks and zooplankton (ex:  Daphnia) regulate the intake and distribution of these nanoparticles?, and 2.  How are fish impacted as they are exposed to these nanoparticles via the gills?  The goal is to explore uptake and distribution of nanoparticles, as well as oxidative stress endpoints both in vivo and in cell culture systems.  This research is in collaboration with scientists at Rice University.

studies with both adult male fathead minnows,

and juvenile largemouth bass