A Study on Ecotoxicological Effects of Nano-copper Oxide Particles to Portunus trituberculatus.

BACKGROUND

As an important nano-material, nano-copper oxide particles (CuO-ENPs) harbor a vast range of characteristics, including an electronic correlation effect, thermal stability, catalytic activity, sterilization, and other properties. At present, the mechanism of ecotoxicological effects of CuO-ENPs is unclear and has been inconclusive. Therefore, we aimed to explore the ecotoxicological effects of nano-copper oxide particles (CuO-ENPs) on Portunus trituberculatus.

OBJECTIVE

The crabs were exposed to seawater containing different concentrations of CuO-ENPs to conduct the acute toxicity test and chronic accumulation test.

METHODS

Acute toxicity, metal accumulation, and SOD activity in different tissues were determined.

RESULTS

We found that the lethal concentration of 50% 96 h LC50 of CuO-ENPs to Portunus trituberculatus belonged to low toxicity. The accumulation of CuO-ENPs in different tissues from high to low was: gill > haemolymph > muscle > hepatopancreas > heart and stomach, and decreased gradually with time after reaching the maximum.

DISCUSSION: Subsequently, it was in a relatively steady state after a certain period and showed an obvious concentration effect. With the increment of exposure time and concentration of CuO-ENPs, the SOD activities in different tissues were quite different. In conclusion, the 96 h LC50 of CuOENPs to Portunus trituberculatus was 49 mg/L, and its toxicity belonged to low toxicity.

CONCLUSION

With the increment of exposure time and concentration of CuO-ENPs, the SOD activities in different tissues were quite different, which were increased remarkably in gill and hepatopancreas, but were suppressed at an early stage of exposure in muscle and haemolymph.