Toxicity Effect of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles on Artemia salina

We evaluated the stability of CuO NPs, and the toxic effects of their suspensions to Artemia salina (A. salina) larvae to elucidate the chemical and toxicological impact to marine micro-organisms. The results pointed to the fact that suspensions of CuO NPs were not acutely toxic to Artemia at environmentally feasible levels. However, prolonged exposure to the same suspensions induced significant toxicity. The results revealed that CuO NPs aggregate in seawater to micrometer particles. This process would ultimately reduce the toxic properties of the NPs. Nevertheless, CuO NPs showed differences in toxic effects depending on the concentration of nanoparticles. In future studies more attention should be given to the formulations of CuO NPs to better understand their toxicological properties since both surface properties and ion release kinetics change with underlying manufacturing processes. The exposure of these A. salina larvae to the selected MO-NPs did not induce significant mortality, although the NPs accumulated in the gut. However, behavioral and chemical analysis occurred after the exposure. The swimming speed alterations represent valid endpoints for CuO NP exposure.