Differential Leaf-to-Root Movement, Trophic Transfer, and Tissue-Specific Biodistribution of Metal-Based and Polymer-Based Nanoparticles When Present Singly and in Mixture

Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 58, pp. 21025–21036

Abstract

The transfer of nanoparticles (NPs) through the terrestrial food chain via foliar uptake presents poorly understood risks, especially in scenarios involving copollution and plant translocation. Herein, we exposed the radishes to single and mixed foliar doses of CeO 2 NPs and deuterated polystyrene (DPS), investigating the trophic transfer of NPs from radish shoots/roots to snails. Compared to single treatments, mixture treatments increased Ce uptake by plants but had no effect on DPS uptake. Additionally, mixture treatments did not affect the movement of Ce and DPS from shoots to roots. Under NP mixture exposure, trophic transfer efficiencies (TTF) for Ce (2.09 × 10 –2 ) and DPS (2.54 × 10 –2 ) significantly decreased in shoot-feeding snails. In root-feeding snails, TTF for Ce (3.32 × 10 –1 ) also showed a significant decrease, while TTF for DPS remained unchanged. Mixture treatments exhibited differential impacts on different snail body parts, particularly leading to biomagnification of DPS in the digestive glands and soft tissues (TTF > 1) of snails consuming roots exposed to mixtures. Both CeO 2 and DPS displayed a sudden increase in assimilation efficiency following translocation to the roots. This study provides insights into changes during trophic transfer due to coexposure and plant translocation processes associated with nanoparticles, enhancing our comprehension regarding their environmental risks.

Authors 5

1. Yingxin Chen

   Shanghai Jiao Tong University

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China

2. Erkai He

   East China Normal University

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China

3. Willie J.G.M. Peijnenburg Aachen Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML)

   Leiden University · National Institute for Public Health and the Environment

   Affiliation as printed

   Center for the Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven 3720 BA, The Netherlands

   Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden 2300 RA, The Netherlands

4. Xiaofeng Jiang

   Shanghai Jiao Tong University

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China

5. Hao Qiu corresponding

   Shanghai Jiao Tong University

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China