Relevance of octanol-water distribution measurements to the potential ecological uptake of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Many potential applications of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) require various physicochemical modifications prior to use, suggesting that nanotubes having varied properties may pose risks in ecosystems. A means for estimating bioaccumulation potentials of variously modified CNTs for incorporation in predic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental toxicology and chemistry 2010-05, Vol.29 (5), p.1106-1112
Main Authors: Petersen, Elijah J., Huang, Qingguo, Weber Jr, Walter J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Annelids
Bioaccumulation
Carbon
Coefficients
Contaminants
Ecological monitoring
Ecology
Ecosystem
Ecosystems
Ecotoxicology
Eisenia foetida
Fullerenes
Lumbriculus variegatus
Measurement techniques
Multi wall carbon nanotubes
Nanomaterials
Nanotechnology
Nanotoxicology
Nanotubes
Nanotubes, Carbon - chemistry
Octanols - chemistry
Oligochaeta
Oligochaeta - drug effects
Oligochaeta - metabolism
Organic contaminants
Single-walled carbon nanotubes
Uptakes
Water - chemistry
Water distribution
Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry
Worms
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Summary:Many potential applications of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) require various physicochemical modifications prior to use, suggesting that nanotubes having varied properties may pose risks in ecosystems. A means for estimating bioaccumulation potentials of variously modified CNTs for incorporation in predictive fate models would be highly valuable. An approach commonly used for sparingly soluble organic contaminants, and previously suggested for use as well with carbonaceous nanomaterials, involves measurement of their octanol–water partitioning coefficient (KOW) values. To test the applicability of this approach, a methodology was developed to measure apparent octanol–water distribution behaviors for purified multi‐walled carbon nanotubes and those acid treated. Substantial differences in apparent distribution coefficients between the two types of CNTs were observed, but these differences did not influence accumulation by either earthworms (Eisenia foetida) or oligochaetes (Lumbriculus variegatus), both of which showed minimal nanotube uptake for both types of nanotubes. The results suggest that traditional distribution behavior‐based KOW approaches are likely not appropriate for predicting CNT bioaccumulation. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:1106–1112. © 2010 SETAC
ISSN:0730-7268
1552-8618
1552-8618
DOI:10.1002/etc.149