Toxic effects of different particle size ZnO NPs on marine microalgae Chlorella sp.

Abstract

Abstract Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are widely used and will inevitably be released into the marine environment, which will have a serious impact on the microalgae in the ocean, and the toxicity of the NPs is closely related to its size. In this study, it was found that small particles of ZnO are more toxic to photosynthesis. The content of SOD and MDA are significantly increased, indicating that oxidative stress has occurred and the cell membrane has been destroyed. The results show that the NPs with smaller size had the higher toxicity to microalgae.