Assessment of the potential in vivo ecotoxicity of Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (DWNTs) in water, using the amphibian Ambystoma mexicanum

Abstract

Because of their specific properties (mechanical, electrical, etc), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are being assessed for inclusion in many manufactured products. Due to their massive production and number of potential applications, the impact of CNTs on the environment must be taken into consideration. The present investigation evaluates the ecotoxic potential of CNTs in the amphibian larvae (Ambystoma mexicanum). Acute toxicity and genotoxicity were analysed after 12 days of exposure in laboratory conditions. The genotoxic effects were analysed by scoring the micronucleated erythrocytes in the circulating blood of the larvae according to the French standard micronucleus assay. The results obtained in the present study demonstrated that CNTs are neither acutely toxic nor genotoxic to larvae whatever the CNTs concentration in the water, although black masses of CNTs were observed inside the gut. In the increasing economical context of CNTs, complementary studies must be undertaken, especially including mechanistic and environmental investigations.

• Carbon nanotubes
• toxicity
• genotoxicity
• amphibian larvae
• Ambystoma mexicanum

Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to Dr S. Jean-Dupuy for her help in fieldwork. We acknowledge the Service Commun de Microscopie à Transmission of the University Paul Sabatier for help with HRTEM characterization and Pr A. Peigney for SEM observation. We are very indebted to Anne Alibert for reviewing the English version of the manuscript.