Fate and Characterization Factors of Nanoparticles in Seventeen Subcontinental Freshwaters: A Case Study on Copper Nanoparticles

The lack of characterization factors (CFs) for engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) hampers the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology in evaluating the potential environmental impacts of nanomaterials. Here, the framework of the USEtox model has been selected to solve this problem. On th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 2016-09, Vol.50 (17), p.9370-9379
Main Authors: Pu, Yubing, Tang, Feng, Adam, Pierre-Michel, Laratte, Bertrand, Ionescu, Rodica Elena
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case studies
Comparative analysis
Copper
Engineering Sciences
Environmental Engineering
Environmental science
Environmental Sciences
Fresh Water
Humans
Models, Theoretical
Nanoparticles
Nanostructures
Optics
Photonic
Toxicology
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Summary:The lack of characterization factors (CFs) for engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) hampers the application of life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology in evaluating the potential environmental impacts of nanomaterials. Here, the framework of the USEtox model has been selected to solve this problem. On the basis of colloid science, a fate model for ENPs has been developed to calculate the freshwater fate factor (FF) of ENPs. We also give the recommendations for using the hydrological data from the USEtox model. The functionality of our fate model is proved by comparing our computed results with the reported scenarios in North America, Switzerland, and Europe. As a case study, a literature survey of the nano-Cu toxicology values has been performed to calculate the effect factor (EF). Seventeen freshwater CFs of nano-Cu are proposed as recommended values for subcontinental regions. Depending on the regions and the properties of the ENPs, the region most likely to be affected by nano-Cu is Africa (CF of 11.11 × 103 CTUe, comparative toxic units) and the least likely is north Australia (CF of 3.87 × 103 CTUe). Furthermore, from the sensitivity analysis of the fate model, 13 input parameters (such as depth of freshwater, radius of ENPs) show vastly different degrees of influence on the outcomes. The characterization of suspended particles in freshwater and the dissolution rate of ENPs are two significant factors.
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/acs.est.5b06300