Multigenerational exposure to cobalt (CoCl₂) and WCCo nanoparticles in Enchytraeus crypticus

Abstract

Cobalt and cobalt nanoparticles have many applications, for example, in the hard metal industry and in tires. The assessment of long term effects is crucial, as these materials are persistent. For many organism groups, multigenerational (MG) exposure is a highly relevant scenario for persistent materials. In this study, the biological effect of CoCl₂ (salt) and Tungsten Carbide Cobalt nanoparticles (WCCo NPs) exposure was assessed in an MG test (4 generations in spiked + 2 generations in clean soil) using the OECD/ISO standard soil test species Enchytraeus crypticus. To ensure transgenerational survival, sublethal concentrations were used to assess the MG impact. MG exposure did not increase toxicity (survival, reproduction). There was an increase in reproduction at low concentrations of Co. Materials were characterized in the exposure media and the organisms in terms of Co content. Uptake of Co-occurred from exposure to both CoCl₂ and WCCo, although without toxicity for WCCo. Cobalt from CoCl₂ exposure seemed to be stored, whereas for WCCo it was eliminated.

Keywords:

• Long term exposure
• transgenerational
• multigenerational
• uptake
• hazard
• nanomaterials
• terrestrial
• soil invertebrates

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the laboratorial help provided by R. Bicho and V. Maria.

Supporting information

Table S1 can be found in the supporting information file.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by funds of the European Commission Project: SUN – SUstainable Nanotechnologies [FP7-NMP-2013-LARGE-7 No. 604305]. Further support within CESAM [UID/AMB/50017-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007638] via FCT/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC) and the co-funding by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020), and by national funding through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia via the individual PhD grant to Maria J. Ribeiro [SFRH/BD/95027/2013].