Tools and rules for modelling uptake and bioaccumulation of nanomaterials in invertebrate organisms

Nico W. Van Den Brink*, Anita Jemec Kokalj, Patricia V. Silva, Elma Lahive, Karin Norrfors, Marta Baccaro, Zahra Khodaparast, Susana Loureiro, Damjana Drobne, Geert Cornelis, Steve Lofts, Richard D. Handy, Claus Svendsen, Dave Spurgeon, Cornelis A.M. van Gestel

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to JournalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    Quantification of the uptake and elimination of nanomaterials (NMs) by organisms is key in assessing the environmental risks of NMs. For this, uptake models for conventional solutes may be used, although no consensus exists on their applicability for NMs. In this critical review therefore, conventional modelling approaches are scrutinised for their applicability for NMs. Statically derived accumulation factors, like BCF or BAF based on measured concentrations, are considered to be flawed because NMs are thermodynamically not stable, an important assumption for this approach. Dynamically derived accumulation factors, based on kinetic exposure experiments, may be applicable because no equilibrium between the organism and exposure medium is needed. Currently there is no full understanding of the passive uptake of NMs, which hampers assessment of the applicability of biotic ligand models. Passive uptake, however, is generally considered to be very limited, which would imply a limited applicability of BLMs for NMs. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models, or biodynamic models, have successfully been applied in uptake studies with NMs. Their underlying assumptions can be met in experiments addressing NMs and case studies presented in this review demonstrate their applicability to model NM-form specific kinetics, integrated with environmental fate models, including relevant physiological processes. Their application requires the a priori definition of the major mechanisms driving the uptake kinetics and the quantification of the associated kinetic rate constants. This limits their application to those mechanisms for which the kinetic rate constants can actually be quantified. Within these limitations, PBPK models have been shown to be applicable and provide a promising general approach to improve modelling of NM-accumulation in organisms.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1985-2001
    Number of pages17
    JournalEnvironmental Science. Nano
    Volume6
    Issue number7
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2019

    Funding

    All the authors were funded by the EU H2020 project Nano-FASE (Nanomaterial Fate and Speciation in the Environment; grant no. 646002). DD and AJK received additional funds from the Slovenian Research Agency (research program, Integrative Zoology and Speleobiology, P1-0184). SL, PVS and ZK received additional financial support from FCT/MCTES, through national funds, to CESAM (UID/AMB/50017/2019); PVS was awarded with a PhD grant by FCT (SFRH/BD/51571/2014).

    FundersFunder number
    EU H2020
    FCT/MCTES
    Speciation in the Environment
    Horizon 2020 Framework Programme646002
    Centro de Estudos Ambientais e Marinhos, Universidade de AveiroUID/AMB/50017/2019
    Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RSP1-0184
    Fundació Catalana de TrasplantamentSFRH/BD/51571/2014

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