Phytotoxicity of nanoparticles—problems with bioassay choosing and sample preparation

For a full estimation of the risk related with the presence of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in the environment, the use of the current ecotoxicological methods may prove insufficient. In the study presented herein, various methods of assessment of ecotoxicity were applied to compare the phytotoxicity of three ENPs: nano-ZnO, nano-TiO(2) and nano-Ni. The toxicity was assayed both for aqueous solutions of the ENPs (the germination/elongation test and Phytotestkit F(TM)) and for ENPs added to soil (Phytotoxkit F(TM) and modified Phytotoxkit F(TM)). Lepidium sativum was used as a test plant. The scope of the study also included the assessment of the effect of the method of ENP application to the soil (as powder and aqueous suspension) on their phytotoxicity. In the course of the study, no effect of the studied ENPs and their bulk counterparts on the germination of seeds was observed. The root growth inhibition of L. sativum depended on the kind of test applied. The trend between concentration of ENPs and effect depended on the method used and kind of ENPs. For most nanoparticles (despite of the method used), the differences in phytotoxicity between nano and bulk particles were observed. Depending on the kind of ENPs, their phytotoxicity differs between water and soil. ZnO (nano and bulk) and nano-Ni were more toxic in soil than in water. For TiO(2) and bulk-Ni, reverse trend was observed. A different method of ENP application to soil differently affects the phytotoxicity. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11356-014-2865-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.