ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Joint Toxic Action and Metabolic Mechanisms
of Graphene Nanomaterial Mixtures
in Microcystis Aeruginosa
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Department of Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Environmental Engineering,
Qinhuangdao 066102, China
Submission date: 2022-08-30
Final revision date: 2022-10-29
Acceptance date: 2022-11-10
Online publication date: 2023-01-13
Publication date: 2023-02-23
Corresponding author
Yajie Liang
Hebei University of Environmental Engineering, China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2023;32(2):1447-1458
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ABSTRACT
Graphene family nanomaterials are used in a broad range of applications. These materials have
been released into the aquatic system where they can have toxicological effects in non-target organisms.
Although several studies have investigated their toxicity, there is little information on the toxicity and
mechanisms of graphene nanomaterial mixtures in Microcystis aeruginosa. This study investigated
the toxicities of individual and binary mixtures of graphene family nanomaterials (graphene oxide
(GO), GO quantum dots (GOQD), and carboxylic acid-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes
(C-SWCNT)) in M. aeruginosa. The toxicological interaction profiles of the mixture rays were also
examined. The results showed that the three types of nanoparticles and their binary mixture rays
had significant inhibitory and hormetic effects in M. aeruginosa. Metabolomics analysis showed that
the nanomaterials had different toxicity mechanisms. Amino acid metabolism was sensitive to GO
exposure, while C-SWCNT and GOQD exposure led to a sharp decline in sugars and an increase in
fatty acids, respectively. The toxicological interactions in the binary GO and GOQD mixtures were
different from that of the GO and C-SWCNT mixtures. These findings increase our understanding
of the nanotoxicity and toxicity mechanisms of GO, C-SWCNT, and GOQD and will aid in the risk
assessment of nanomaterials in aquatic environments. Amino acids, sugars, and