Elucidating the Toxic Mechanism of NiWO 4 to a Neotropical Microcrustacean: Experimental and Theoretical Insights

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide In the present study, we describe the toxicity mechanism of nickel tungstate nanoparticles (NiWO 4 NPs) and present experimental and computational advancements achieved through a combined approach to evaluate the toxicity of this semiconductor in the freshwater aquatic organism Ceriodaphnia silvestrii (Cladocera). Results from the acute toxicity test indicated that NiWO 4 induced immobility in C. silvestrii at concentrations exceeding 40 mg L –1 (Dunn’s test, p < 0.05). The 48-h EC 50 was 33.76 mg L –1 ± 5.67. The sublethal concentrations of NiWO 4, at 20 and 25 mg L –1, significantly decreased the ingestion rates of C. silvestrii (Dunnett’s test, p < 0.05), directly affecting cladoceran nutrition and potentially hindering population growth. Density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio atomistic thermodynamics analyses characterized the structural, electronic, and energetic properties of low-index NiWO 4 surfaces, revealing that oxygen-rich (111) facets may play a central role in oxidative stress and cellular damage in exposed organisms. Based on these findings, we propose a detailed toxicological mechanism that elucidates how nanoparticle properties influence biological responses in Neotropical microcrustaceans.

Source: ACS Omega

DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.5c08907

Authors: Cínthia B de Abreu, Renan Castelhano Gebara, Thiago Trevizam Dorini, Giseli Swerts Rocha, Adrislaine da Silva Mansano, Marcelo Assis, Thalles Maranesi Pereira, Luciano Sindra Virtuoso, Miguel Angel San-Miguel, Maria da Graça Gama Melão, Elson Longo

Institutions: Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Centro de Desenvolvimento de Materiais Funcionais, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Universidade Federal de Alfenas

Language: English

Topic: Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,935

Funders: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Generalitat de Catalunya, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos, Universidade Estadual de Campinas

OpenAlex ID: W4416747386