Considerations for bioaccumulation studies in fish with nanomaterials

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of accumulation and biodistribution of polystyrene nanoplastics in zebrafish (Danio rerio) via artificial freshwater

“…Additionally, the gastrointestinal organ along with the gill, direct skin contact and nanoparticle internalization were also reported as the routes through which the toxicants from ambient water are directly exposed to and taken up into the fish body. 16,17,74 For instance, an acute toxicological and pathological research study of adult tilapia exposed to nanoparticles demonstrated that the main transport mechanism for nanoparticles to reach the circulation in fish could be through the intestineblood route/or the gill-blood pathway. 72,75,76 The other high concentration, which was slightly below the amount of PSN found in the intestine, was in the liver, (260.32 μg g −1 wet weight) demonstrating that this tissue played a significant role in absorbing PSN throughout the exposure period.…”

“…14,15 Additionally, it was previously reported that in the environment the fish can be exposed to plastic nanoparticles through different pathways such as water drinking (stress induced or passively), feeding, breathing (via gills), direct skin contact and different-level aquatic food chain. 16,17 Therefore, it is possible that the fish in aquatic ecosystems are exposed to NPs directly via ingestion, skin, and gills as well as indirectly through trophic transfer throughout the food chain. 18 Furthermore, the most important problem is the insufficient effective and accurate quantitative analytical methods of NPs in animal samples, 19 and the dearth of indepth quantitative research on the biological processes of NP pollution in aquatic organisms represents a significant knowledge gap.…”