Single and Repeated Applications of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Differently Affect the Growth and Biomass Accumulation of Silene flos-cuculi L. (Caryophyllaceae)

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nCeO(2)) have a wide variety of applications in industry. Models demonstrated that nCeO(2) can reach environmental compartments. Studies regarding the relationships between plants and nCeO(2) considered only crop species, whereas a relevant knowledge gap exists regarding wild plant species. Specimens of Silene flos-cuculi (Caryophyllaceae) were grown in greenhouse conditions in a substrate amended with a single dose (D1) and two and three doses (D2 and D3) of 20 mg kg(−1) and 200 mg kg(−1) nCeO(2) suspensions, respectively. sp-ICP-MS and ICP-MS data demonstrated that nCeO(2) was taken up by plant roots and translocated towards aerial plant fractions. Biometric variables showed that plants responded negatively to the treatments with a shortage in biomass of roots and stems. Although not at relevant concentrations, Ce was accumulated mainly in roots and plant leaves.