Effect of 17β-estradiol on stability and mobility of TiO2 rutile nanoparticles

Development of quantitative structure activity relationships (QSARs) for predicting the aggregation of TiO2 nanoparticles under favorable conditions

This study developed multi-linear regression (MLR) quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) to predict n-TiO2 aggregation in the presence of high concentrations of representative emerging organic contaminants (EOCs), which presented favorable conditions to interaction with n-TiO2. The largest diameter change (Δ 517 nm at 0 h and Δ 1164 nm at 12 h) of n-TiO2 was observed by estrone, while the smallest diameter change (Δ -114 nm at 0 h and - 4 nm at 12 h) was observed by lincomycin during experimental periods. In addition, the zeta potential changes of n-TiO2 were observed that the biggest changes were observed by 17β-estradiol (-1.3 mV) and alachlor (-10.02 mV) at 0 h, while 17β-estradiol (-1.31 mV) and pendimethalin (-11.4 mV) showed the biggest changes at 12 h comparing to control. These changes of n-TiO2 diameter and zeta potential may implicate the effects of unique physico-chemical properties of each EOC on the surface modification of n-TiO2. Based on the interaction results, this study investigated the QSARs between n-TiO2 aggregation and physico-chemical descriptors of EOCs with 7 representative descriptors (pKa, Cw, log Kow, M.W., P.S.A., M.V., # of HBD) for predicting n-TiO2 aggregation rate kinetics at 0 h and 12 h by applying MATLAB statistical methods (model 1 - fitlm and model 2 - stepwiselm). In a model 1, QSARs showed the good coefficients of determination (R2 = 0.92) at 0 h and (R2 = 0.87) at 12 h with 7 descriptors. In a model 2, QSARs showed the goodness of fit of a model (R2 = 0.9998) with 8 descriptors (pKa, Cw, log Kow, M.W., P.S.A., M.V., #HBD, pKa⋅#H bond donors) at 0 h, while QSARs showed the coefficients of determination (R2 = 0.68) with 2 descriptors (pKa, M.V.) at 12 h. Particularly, we observed that some descriptors of EOCs such as pKa and # of HBD having polarity have more influenced on the n-TiO2 aggregation rate kinetics. Our developed QSARs demonstrated that the 7 descriptors of EOCs were significantly effective descriptors for predicting n-TiO2 aggregation rate kinetics in favorable conditions, which may implicate the complexity interactions between heterogeneous surfaces of n-TiO2 and physico-chemical properties of EOCs.

Effects of Mixtures of Engineered Nanoparticles and Cocontaminants on Anaerobic Digestion

The widespread application of nanotechnology inevitably leads to an increased release of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) into the environment. Due to their specific physicochemical properties, ENPs may interact with other contaminants and exert combined effects on the microbial community and metabolism of anaerobic digestion (AD), an important process for organic waste reduction, stabilization, and bioenergy recovery. However, the complicated interactions between ENPs and other contaminants as well as their combined effects on AD are often overlooked. This review therefore focuses on the co-occurrence of ENPs and cocontaminants in the AD process. The key interactions between ENPs and cocontaminants and their combined influences on AD are summarized from the available literature, including the critical mechanisms and influencing factors. Some sulfides, coagulants, and chelating agents have a dramatic "detoxification" effect on the inhibition effect of ENPs on AD. However, some antibiotics and surfactants increase the inhibition of ENPs on AD. The reasons for these differences may be related to the interactive effects between ENPs and cocontaminants, changes of key enzyme activities, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and microbial communities. New scientific opportunities for a better understanding of the coexistence in real world situations are converging on the scale of nanoparticles.

Effect of seawater acidification and plasticizer (Bisphenol-A) on aggregation of nanoparticles

This study investigated the effect of an organic pollutant (Bisphenol- A, an endocrine-disrupting chemical) on the stability of a mixture of nanoparticles (NPs). Experiments were conducted in seawater chemistry condition with TiO₂/ZnO NP concentration ratio: 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10,100; pH: 7.4 and 8.1; BPA concentration: 1 and 10 μg/L. The presence of BPA was found to increase the size of NP. Lower pH of 7.4 increased size of NPs from 3 to 297% (at 1 μg/L BPA; NP ratio = 0.1 to 100). Aggregation rate constant values ranged between 0.17 and 1.81 nm/s in pH 7.4 suspension and between 0.48 and 56 nm/s in pH 8.1 suspension. Factors, such as pH and NP mass concentration had major effects on size change for suspension having the same ratio of TiO₂/ZnO. NP aggregate was comprised of 97% ZnO NP, 3% TiO₂ NP and had 1.39 mg/kg BPA. Overall, this study found dominance of van der Waals forces of attraction in mixture suspension of NPs and BPA. The obtained result on NP persistence in seawater can now be used in estimating exposure doses of a mixture of nanoparticles during inadvertent exposure.

Insight into the inhibitory mechanism of soluble ionic liquids on the transport of TiO2 nanoparticles in saturated porous media: Roles of alkyl chain lengths and counteranion types

Column experiments were carried out to investigate the transport of TiO₂ nanoparticles (nTiO₂) in water-saturated porous media in the presence of various imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) with different alkyl chain lengths and counteranions. The results indicated that the effects of ILs on nTiO₂ transport were considerably dependent upon IL species. In general, the transport-inhibition effects increased with the increasing length of branched alkyl chain on the ILs (i.e., [C₆mim]Cl > [C₄mim]Cl > [C₂mim]Cl). The trend was dominated by the hydrophobicity effects of ILs. Meanwhile, the inhibitory effects of ILs were strongly related to the counteranions and followed the order of [C₄mim]Cl > [C₄mim][TOS] > [C₄mim][PF₆], mainly due to different electrostatic repulsion force between nanoparticles and porous media in the presence of various ILs. Furthermore, the inhibitory role of [C₄mim][TOS] in nTiO₂ transport under acidic conditions (i.e., pH 6.5) was greater than that under alkaline conditions (i.e., pH 8.0). The dominant mechanism was that the differences in the extent of electrostatic repulsion between sand grains and nTiO₂ with or without ILs at pH 6.5 were larger than that at pH 8.0. Moreover, two-site kinetic retention model and DLVO theory provided good descriptions for the transport behaviors of nTiO₂ with different ILs.

Combined effect of nanoscale zero-valent iron and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) to the freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus

With wide use of nanoparticles, co-exposure of aquatic organisms to nanoparticles and organic pollutants often takes place in the environment. However, the combined effects are still rarely understood. In this study, in order to study the interaction and biological effects of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), which acts as a typical surfactant, the freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus was exposed to nZVI and LAS individually and in combination for 96 h. According to the inhibition rate of the algae, the toxic effects were investigated by dose-response analysis. Then the combined effect of nZVI and LAS was evaluated using three evaluation models including toxicity unit (TU), additional index (AI), and mixture toxicity index (MTI). The results showed that the 96 h IC₅₀ of nZVI and LAS to Scenedesmus obliquus was 2.464 mmol L^-1 and 0.332 mmol L^-1, respectively. When nZVI coexisted with LAS at toxic ratio 1:1, the 96 h IC₅₀ value was 1.658 mmol L^-1 (shown with nZVI), and the partly additive effect of nZVI mixed with LAS was confirmed. However, when the toxic ratio of nZVI:LAS was 4:1, it showed synergistic effect. In addition, when nZVI mixed with LAS at toxic ratio 1:4, the joint effect is antagonistic effect. In addition, the content of chorophyll in Scenedesmus obliquus, especially the content of chlorophyll a, was decreased with the increase of mixture dose. However, the protein levels did not show significant changes at different mixture doses.

Perchlorate behavior in the context of black carbon and metal cogeneration following fireworks emission at Oak Lake, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

The imprints of fireworks displays on the adjacent water body were investigated from the perspective of cogeneration of black carbon, metals and perchlorate (ClO₄^-). In particular, the mixing and dissipation of ClO₄^- were studied at Oak Lake, Lincoln, Nebraska, following fireworks displays in 2015 and 2016. Following the display, ClO₄^- concentration in the water increased up to 4.3 μg/L and 4.0 μg/L in 2015 and 2016, respectively. A first-order model generally provided a good fit to the measured perchlorate concentrations from which the rate of dissipation was estimated as 0.07 d^-1 in 2015 and 0.43 d^-1 in 2016. SEM images show imprints of soot and metal particles in aerosol samples. EDS analysis of the lake sediment confirmed the presence of Si, K, Ca, Zn and Ba, most of which are components of fireworks. The δ¹³C range of -7.55‰ to -9.19‰ in the lake water system closely resembles fire-generated carbon. Cogeneration of black carbon and metal with perchlorate was established, indicating that ClO₄^- is an excellent marker of fireworks or a burning event over all other analyzed parameters. Future microcosmic, aggregation and column-based transport studies on black carbon in the presence of perchlorate and metals under different environmental conditions will help in developing transport and fate models for perchlorate and black carbon particles.

Removal of 17β-Estradiol from water by adsorption onto montmorillonite-carbon hybrids derived from pyrolysis carbonization of carboxymethyl cellulose

In this work, we demonstrated the preparation of the carbonized montmorillonite/carboxymethyl cellulose (MMT/CMC) hybrids and their application as an adsorbent for efficient removal of 17β-Estradiol (βE2). X-ray diffractometer (XRD) results showed that CMC intercalation reached saturation at a CMC to MMT weight ratio of 1; transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements clearly revealed that carbonization caused graphenes distribute on the MMT surfaces; pyrolysis temperature at 600 °C yielded novel MMT/CMC sample of high surface areas as reflected by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area. The adsorbed amount of βE2 under various conditions decreased in the order MMT/CMC_1:1(600) > MMT/CMC_1:1(450) > MMT/CMC_1:1(300) ∼ MMT/CMC_2:1(600) ∼ MMT > MMT/CMC_5:1(600). The removal of βE2 by MMT/CMC_1:1(600) occurred very quickly, and the adsorption kinetics could be well fitted by the Ritchie nth-order kinetic model; the best-fit adsorption isotherm model was Freundlich model. The MMT/CMC_1:1(600) also exhibited good regeneration performance after five adsorption/desorption cycles. The experimental results also showed that the adsorption of βE2 on the MMT/CMC_1:1(600) composite could contribute to hydrophobic partitioning, π-π staking interaction, H-bond interaction, pore-filling effect and simple van der Waals interaction. This highly effective and novel adsorbent can be easily synthesized and regenerated, indicating its great potential in drinking and wastewater purification for endocrine disruptor compounds.

Influence of natural organic matter in porous media on fine particle transport

Although extensive research has been conducted to understand the effects of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on fine particle transport, less attention has been paid to natural organic matter (NOM) in the transport medium (i.e., immobile rock and sediment grains). The objective of this study is to elucidate the roles of NOM in the transport medium in mediating particle transport. We conducted experimental and modelling study on the transport of nanoscale titanium dioxide (nTiO₂) and illite colloid in columns packed with quartz sand under water-saturated conditions. Peat moss was used as an example NOM and packed in some of the columns to investigate its influence on particle transport. Experimental results showed that NOM may either increase or decrease particle transport depending on the specific conditions. NOM in the transport medium was found to attract particles and reduce particle mobility when the energy barrier between particle and NOM is low or non-existent. NOM also adsorb to Fe and Al oxyhydroxides and promote the transport of negatively-charged particles at low pH. Partial dissolution of NOM releases DOM, and the DOM adsorbs to and increases the transport of positively-charged particles. Additionally, NOM changes pore water pH, which influences particle mobility by affecting the interaction energy between the particle and transport medium. Modelling results showed that the deposition sites provided by peat moss are very heterogeneous, and the NOM from peat moss may reduce particle deposition rate by adsorbing to the particle and/or transport medium. Findings from this study demonstrate that NOM in the transport medium not only changes property of the medium, but also may alter water chemistry. Therefore, the role of NOM in mediating particle transport is complicated and dependent on the property of the particle, NOM, and mineralogical composition of the medium.

A review of the fate of engineered nanomaterials in municipal solid waste streams

Significant knowledge and data gaps associated with the fate of product-embedded engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in waste management processes exist that limit our current ability to develop appropriate end-of-life management strategies. This review paper was developed as part of the activities of the IWWG ENMs in Waste Task Group. The specific objectives of this review paper are to assess the current knowledge associated with the fate of ENMs in commonly used waste management processes, including key processes and mechanisms associated with ENM fate and transport in each waste management process, and to use that information to identify the data gaps and research needs in this area. Literature associated with the fate of ENMs in wastes was reviewed and summarized. Overall, results from this literature review indicate a need for continued research in this area. No work has been conducted to quantify ENMs present in discarded materials and an understanding of ENM release from consumer products under conditions representative of those found in relevant waste management process is needed. Results also indicate that significant knowledge gaps associated with ENM behaviour exist for each waste management process investigated. There is a need for additional research investigating the fate of different types of ENMs at larger concentration ranges with different surface chemistries. Understanding how changes in treatment process operation may influence ENM fate is also needed. A series of specific research questions associated with the fate of ENMs during the management of ENM-containing wastes have been identified and used to direct future research in this area.

Towards a better understanding on aggregation behavior of CeO2 nanoparticles in different natural waters under flow disturbance

The fate of nanoparticles in natural waters is affected by the combination of various factors, especially the flow disturbance which plays a decisive role in the transport of nanoparticles. This study investigated the aggregation behavior of CeO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) in natural waters by using a unique instrument to simulate flow disturbance. The results indicated that, in the absence of a shear force, the CeO₂ NPs formed linear, chain-like aggregates in seawater, owing to the high IS, which compressed the electrical double layer of particles. On the other hand, the NPs formed more compact aggregates in lake water, owing to an ion bridge effect between the NPs and the dissolved organic matter (DOM). It was also found that shear forces affected the aggregation behavior of the NPs. A low shear force promoted the aggregation of the NPs by increasing the collision efficiency while the aggregates were broken by a high shear force. Remarkably, the NPs maintained their potential for continuous aggregation when the slow stirring was reintroduced, suggesting that the aggregates began to grow again under renewed stirring. The results of this study could help in predicting the fate and transport behavior of CeO₂ NPs in actual aquatic environments.

Adsorption of Estrogen Contaminants by Graphene Nanomaterials under Natural Organic Matter Preloading: Comparison to Carbon Nanotube, Biochar, and Activated Carbon

Adsorption of two estrogen contaminants (17β-estradiol and 17α-ethynyl estradiol) by graphene nanomaterials was investigated and compared to those of a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT), two biochars, a powdered activated carbon (PAC), and a granular activate carbon (GAC) in ultrapure water and in the competition of natural organic matter (NOM). Graphene nanomaterials showed comparable or better adsorption ability than carbon nanotubes (CNTs), biochars (BCs), and activated carbon (ACs) under NOM preloading. The competition of NOM decreased the estrogen adsorption by all adsorbents. However, the impact of NOM on the estrogen adsorption was smaller on graphenes than CNTs, BCs, and ACs. Moreover, the hydrophobicity of estrogens also affected the uptake of estrogens. These results suggested that graphene nanomaterials could be used to removal estrogen contaminants from water as an alternative adsorbent. Nevertheless, if transferred to the environment, they would also adsorb estrogen contaminants, leading to great environmental hazards.

Environmental dynamics of metal oxide nanoparticles in heterogeneous systems: A review

Metal oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) have been used for many purposes including water treatment, health, cosmetics, electronics, food packaging, and even food products. As their applications continue to expand, concerns have been mounting about the environmental fate and potential health risks of the nanoparticles in the environment. Based on the latest information, this review provides an overview of the factors that affect the fate, transformation and toxicity of MNPs. Emphasis is placed on the effects of various aquatic contaminants under various environmental conditions on the transformation of metal oxides and their transport kinetics - both in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems - and the effects of contaminants on the toxicity of MNPs. The presence of existing contaminants decreases bioavailability through hetero-aggregation, sorption, and/or complexation upon an interaction with MNPs. Contaminants also influence the fate and transport of MNPs and exhibit their synergistic toxic effects that contribute to the extent of the toxicity. This review will help regulators, engineers, and scientists in this field to understand the latest development on MNPs, their interactions with aquatic contaminants as well as the environmental dynamics of their fate and transformation. The knowledge gap and future research needs are also identified, and the challenges in assessing the environmental fate and transport of nanoparticles in heterogeneous systems are discussed.

Prediction of joint algal toxicity of nano-CeO2/nano-TiO2 and florfenicol: Independent action surpasses concentration addition

Co-exposure of aquatic organisms to engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) and antibiotics is likely to take place in the environment. However, the impacts of co-exposure on aquatic organisms are virtually unknown and understanding the joint toxicity of ENPs and antibiotics is a topic of importance. The independent action (IA) model and the concentration addition (CA) model are two of the most common approaches to mixture toxicity assessment. In this study, the joint toxicity of two ENPs (nCeO2 and nTiO2) and one antibiotic (florfenicol, FLO) to Chlorella pyrenoidosa was determined to compare the applicability of the IA and the CA model. Concentration-response analyses were performed for single toxicants and for binary mixtures containing FLO and one of the ENPs at two suspended particle concentrations. The effect concentrations and the observed effects of the binary mixtures were compared to the predictions of the joint toxicity. The observed toxicity associated with the nCeO2 or nTiO2 exposure was enhanced by the concomitant FLO exposure. The joint toxicity of nCeO2 and FLO was significantly higher than that of nTiO2 and FLO. Predictions based on the IA and CA models tend to underestimate the overall toxicity (in terms of median effect concentration) of the binary mixtures, but IA performs better than CA, irrespective of the effect level under consideration and the types of mixtures studied. This result underpins the need to consider the effects of mixtures of ENPs and organic chemicals on aquatic organisms, and the practicability of the IA and CA methods in toxicity assessment of ENPs.

The influence of ionic strength and organic compounds on nanoparticle TiO2 (n-TiO2) aggregation

This study investigated the aggregation of n-TiO2 in the presence of humic acid (HA) and/or 17β-estradiol (E2) under high ionic strength conditions simulating levels detected in landfill leachate. Aggregation of n-TiO2 was strongly influenced by ionic strength as well as ionic valence in that divalent cations (Ca(2+)) were more effective than monovalent (Na(+)) at the surface modification. HA or E2 enhanced aggregation of n-TiO2 in 20 mM CaCl2, however little aggregation was observed in 100 mM NaCl. Similarly, we observed only the increased aggregation of n-TiO2 in the presence of HA/E2. These results showed the critical role of particles' surface charges on the aggregation behaviors of n-TiO2 that HA plays more significantly than E2. However, the slightly increased zeta potential and aggregation of n-TiO2 in the combination of HA and E2 at both 20 mM CaCl2 and 100 mM NaCl means that E2 has influenced on the surface modification of n-TiO2 by adsorption. Based on the aggregation of n-TiO2 under high ionic strength with HA and/or E2, we simulated the mobility of aggregated n-TiO2 in porous media. As a result, we observed that the mobility distance of aggregated n-TiO2 was dramatically influenced by the surface modification with both HA and/or E2 between particles and media. Furthermore, larger mobility distance was observed with larger aggregation of n-TiO2 particles that can be explained by clean bed filtration (CFT) theory.

Stability of nTiO2 particles and their attachment to sand: Effects of humic acid at different pH

The fate and transport of nano-scale or micro-scale titanium dioxide particles (nTiO2) in subsurface environments are strongly influenced by the stability of nTiO2 and their attachment to sediment grains. nTiO2 may carry either positive or negative charges in natural water, therefore, environmental factors such as pH, humic substances, and Fe oxyhydroxide coatings on sediment grains, which are known to control the stability and transport of negatively-charged colloids, may influence nTiO2 in different manners. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of pH and humic acid (HA) on the stability and attachment of nTiO2 to sand at HA concentrations that are relevant to typical groundwater conditions, so that mechanisms that control nTiO2 immobilization and transport in natural systems can be elucidated. Stability and attachment of nTiO2 to quartz sand and Fe oxyhydroxide coated quartz sand are experimentally measured under a range of HA concentrations at pH5 and 9. Results show that at pH5, negatively-charged HA strongly adsorbs to positively-charged nTiO2 and Fe oxyhydroxide, which, at low HA concentrations, partially neutralizes the positive charges on nTiO2 and Fe oxyhydroxide, and therefore decreases the repulsive electrostatic forces between the surfaces, resulting in nTiO2 aggregation and attachment. At high HA concentrations, adsorbed HA reverses the surface charges of nTiO2 and Fe oxyhydroxide, and makes nTiO2 and Fe oxyhydroxide strongly negatively charged, resulting in stable nTiO2 suspension and low nTiO2 attachment. At pH9, HA, nTiO2, and Fe oxyhydroxide are all negatively charged, and HA adsorption is low and does not have a strong impact on the stability and attachment of nTiO2. Overall, this study shows that changes in surface charges of nTiO2 and Fe oxyhydroxide coating caused by HA adsorption is a key factor that influences the stability and attachment of nTiO2.