To duckweeds (Landoltia punctata), nanoparticulate copper oxide is more inhibitory than the soluble copper in the bulk solution

Environ Pollut. 2011 May;159(5):1277-82. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.01.028. Epub 2011 Feb 18.

Abstract

CuO nanoparticles (CuO-NP) were synthesized in a hydrogen diffusion flame. Particle size and morphology were characterized using scanning mobility particle sizing, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The solubility of CuO-NP varied with both pH and presence of other ions. CuO-NP and comparable doses of soluble Cu were applied to duckweeds, Landoltia punctata. Growth was inhibited 50% by either 0.6 mg L(-1) soluble copper or by 1.0 mg L(-1) CuO-NP that released only 0.16 mg L(-1) soluble Cu into growth medium. A significant decrease of chlorophyll was observed in plants stressed by 1.0 mg L(-1) CuO-NP, but not in the comparable 0.2 mg L(-1) soluble Cu treatment. The Cu content of fronds exposed to CuO-NP is four times higher than in fronds exposed to an equivalent dose of soluble copper, and this is enough to explain the inhibitory effects on growth and chlorophyll content.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chlorophyll / metabolism
  • Copper / metabolism
  • Copper / toxicity*
  • Magnoliopsida / drug effects*
  • Magnoliopsida / growth & development
  • Magnoliopsida / metabolism
  • Nanoparticles / toxicity*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Chlorophyll
  • Copper
  • cupric oxide