Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: CuO-NPs demonstrate significant potential across biomedical, environmental protection, and electronic technology domains. This widespread utilization inevitably leads to their discharge into aquatic ecosystems. Research on the biotoxicity of CuO-NPs constitutes a current scientific priority; however, toxicological impacts related to particle size and morphology remain inadequately documented. The zebrafish (Danio rerio Roloff, 1956) is employed as a model animal organism to assess acute and subchronic toxicity of differentially sized/shaped CuO-NPs. Organ-specific damage manifested in the gills, liver, and muscles. It was found that sheet-shaped CuO-NPs (SC) could induce the most severe histomorphological alterations. Among spherical CuO-NPs (SP), smaller particles exhibited higher toxicity (SC > 40 nm SP-S > 150–250 nm SP-L). Tissue antioxidant capacity followed the same decreasing trend. The three CuO-NPs in the present study reduced microbial alpha-diversity. Altered relative abundance of dominant taxa is observed at the phylum and genus levels. These results expand toxicological datasets for nanomaterial–vertebrate interactions and support environmental risk assessment for nano-pollutants in natural conditions.
Source: Biology
Authors: Qi Liu, Xiaoxuan Li, Lixin Fang, Yanhui Wang, Fang Sun, Peng Liu
Institution: Harbin Normal University
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,258
Funder: Harbin Normal University
OpenAlex ID: W4415166868