Despite growing concerns about the potential impacts of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in the terrestrial environment, a limited number of studies have been done investigating the interactions of ENMs and plants in soil. Given the foundational role plants play in many terrestrial ecosystems, in order to properly manage ENM use and disposal research is needed to understand how ENMs may affect plant growth and physiology and/or generate cascading effects on their pollinators or herbivores. In this study, Clarkia unguiculata were grown to maturity in a potting soil and exposed to 0, 1, 10, and 100 mg�L-1 TiO2, CeO2, or Cu(OH)2 ENM suspensions while varying light and nutrient levels. Tissue and soil samples were taken and ENM concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Growth measurements and photosynthetic rates were also collected. Significant uptake of ENMs was seen at the highest concentration of exposure, but decreased photosynthetic rates, stunted growth, and chlorosis were seen in low nutrient, high light treatments exposed to TiO2 and CeO2. These results suggest that photoactive ENMs such as TiO2 and CeO2 will be taken up from the soil by plants and may interfere with photosynthesis in leaves, thus decreasing plant fitness.

Evidence for nanoparticle induced photoxicity in a soil-grown wildflower

248th National Meeting (2014)

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