Abstract

In the last decades Nanomaterials (NMs) have attracted a great deal of attention due to their many technologically interesting properties. Nanotechnology applications advanced very quickly while very little has been done to measure and assess the risks of Nanoparticles (NPs) to biological systems and to the ecosystems. The small size of nanoparticles and their properties can become easily a vehicle for binding and transport of toxic chemical pollutants. There have been a number of studies showing that NPs and nanotubes can be released in the environment and cause harmful effects to humans and/or living organisms [1]. Studies showed that NPs can associate to naturally occurring colloids and particles affecting bioavailability and uptake into cells and organisms. Uptakes by endocytotic routes are identified as probable major mechanisms of entry cellular compartments leading to various types of toxic cell injury through free radical reactions. This report aims to address the possible hazards associated with the potential release of NMs and NPs into the aquatic environment and review their harmful effects to aquatic organisms.

Keywords: Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Risk assessment; Environmental pollution; Toxicology

Abbreviations: NMs: Nanomaterials; PM: Particulate Matter; ROS: Reactive Oxygen Species; DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid