Impact of nanoparticles on aquatic organisms

Abstract

When the first nano-sized materials were being investigated, they were considered to have limited environmental or health consequences. The techniques for synthesizing these materials were costly and extremely inefficient. Today, however, technological advancements in the manufacturing of nanomaterials have made them a commercially viable product. The applications being proposed that will use nanoparticles are phenomenal. Nanoparticles have been suggested and tested for use in tumor ablation cancer treatments, as a surface for bone re-growth, a construction material for the space elevator, a source for alternative energy, even as remediation material for negating decades of environmental damage to groundwater. The nanotechnology market is projected to be valued at $1 trillion by 2012 (1). The underlying concern with a dramatic increase in production and use of nanomaterials is that they will be intentionally or unintentionally released into the environment in large quantities posing a potential risk to humans and ecosystems. The National Nanotechnology Initiative (USA) as well as the governments of other nations and technology entrepreneurs have directed huge amounts of funding exclusively into nanoparticle research. Forming the basis of this technology are four major types of nanomaterials that are commercially manufactured. These include: (1) carbon-based materials such as fullerenes and nanotubes, (2) metal-based materials such as quantum dots and metal oxides (titanium dioxide), (3) dendrimers, which are multi-branched chains and (4) composites, which are a combination of nanomaterials or a mixture of nanoparticles and other materials (2).