Long-term exposure of zebrafish juveniles to carbon nanofibers at predicted environmentally relevant concentrations: Outspreading warns about ecotoxicological risks to freshwater fish

Although carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) toxicity has already been demonstrated in some animal models, little is known about the impact of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on aquatic vertebrates. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the possible effects of long-term exposure of zebrafish (Danio rerio) juveniles (90...

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Published in:The Science of the total environment 2023-06, Vol.878, p.163153-163153, Article 163153
Main Authors: Montalvão, Mateus Flores, Chagas, Thales Quintão, Rodrigues, Aline Sueli de Lima, Guimarães, Abraão Tiago Batista, Malafaia, Guilherme
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetylcholinesterase
Animals
Aquatic pollution
Biomarkers
Carbon
Carbon-based nanomaterials
Danio rerio
Ecotoxicology
Nanofibers
Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
Zebrafish
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Summary:Although carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs) toxicity has already been demonstrated in some animal models, little is known about the impact of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on aquatic vertebrates. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the possible effects of long-term exposure of zebrafish (Danio rerio) juveniles (90 days) to CNFs in predicted environmentally relevant concentrations (10 ng/L and 10 μg/L). Our data revealed that exposure to CNFs did not affect the growth and development of the animals, in addition to not having induced locomotor alterations or anxiety-like behavior. On the other hand, we observed that zebrafish exposed to CNFs showed a response deficit to the vibratory stimulus test, alteration in the density of neuromasts recorded in the final ventral region, as well as an increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels and a reduction in total antioxidant activity, nitric oxide, and acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain. Such data were directly associated with a higher concentration of total organic carbon in the brain, which suggests the bioaccumulation of CNFs. Furthermore, exposure to CNFs induced a picture suggestive of genomic instability, inferred by the increased frequency of nuclear abnormalities and DNA damage in circulating erythrocytes. Although the individual analyses of the biomarkers did not point to a concentration-dependent effect, the principal component analysis (PCA) and the Integrated Biomarker Response Index (IBRv2) indicate a more prominent effect induced by the higher CNFs concentration (10 μg/L). Therefore, our study confirms the impact of CNFs in the studied model (D. rerio) and sheds light on the ecotoxicological risks of these nanomaterials to freshwater fish. Based on the ecotoxicological screening provided by our study, new horizons are opened for investigations into the mechanisms of action of CNFs, which will help understand the magnitude of the impact of these materials on aquatic biota. [Display omitted] •Long-term exposure to carbon nanofibers (CNFs) affects zebrafish health.•Danio rerio exposed to CNFs show behavioral changes.•Neuromast density is altered by exposure to CNFs.•Biochemical changes are observed in Danio rerio exposed to CNFs.•CNFs induce genomic instability in zebrafish.
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163153