Nanoecotoxicological evaluation graphene oxide

Abstract

Nanostructured graphene oxide has applications in areas such as electronics, pharmaceutical and environmental. Their diverse and promising uses raise concerns about the consequences to human and environmental health of the inadequate / inappropriate disposal of waste materials and/or products. Despite nanotoxicological studies have been intensified in recent years, gaps still remain in the methods used to assess the nanotechnology risks, because of the complex nanomaterials behavior in the environment principally in the presence of organic matter and depending on the characteristics of the nanomaterial. The objective of this study is to evaluate the toxicological effects of graphene oxide (GO) in Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos and other organisms as Daphnia similis, Lactuca sativa, Hydra attenuata, Artemia salina, Chironomus sancticaroli e Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, considering the influence of humic substances interaction. For this, it will be evaluated lethal and sublethal parameters, as larvae total length and biochemical biomarkers of metabolism (activity of glutathione S-transferase and acid phosphatase), oxidative stress (activity of catalase) and neurotoxicity (acetylcholinesterase activity). It is expected to contribute to the establishment of analytical protocols and participate in the consolidation of nanoecotoxicology in Brazil, providing information to complement the knowledge about nanotechnology to the living organisms and ecosystems. (AU)