Short-Term Chronic Toxicity of Photocatalytic Nanoparticles to Bacteria, Algae, and Zooplankton
Project Information
Funding Information
| Country | USA |
| Anticipated Total Funding | $334,881.00 |
| Annual Funding | $111,627.00 |
| Funding Source | EPA |
| Funding Mechanism | Extramural |
| Funding Sector | Government |
| Start Year | 2004 |
| Anticipated End Year | 2007 |
Abstract/Summary
The overall goal of this proposed research project is to assess the short-term chronic aquatic ecotoxicity of photocatalytic nanoparticles. Upon the irradiation of photocatalysts at a wavelength equivalent to the bandgap energy, electrons will jump over from the valance band to the conduction band, leaving behind positive holes. The holes are strong oxidation agents, and the electrons are strong reducing agents. Depending on the level of band gap energy, photocatalysts can exhibit both reduction and oxidation reactions, only oxidation reactions, or only reduction reactions. It is expected that chemical reduction-oxidation reactions play an important role in the aquatic ecotoxicity of nano-photocatalysts. The specific objectives of this research project are (1) to determine the acute toxicity of photocatalytic nanoparticles to mixed bacterial cultures, (2) to determine the short-term chronic toxicity of photocatalytic nanoparticles to pure bacterial culture exemplified by E. coli, (3) to determine the short-term chronic toxicity of photocatalytic nanoparticles to daphnia exemplified by Ceriodaphnia dubia, (4) to determine the short-term chronic toxicity of photocatalytic nanoparticles to algae exemplified by Selenastrum capricornutum, (5) to determine the short-term chronic toxicity of copper (II) to Selenastrum capricornutum in the presence of photocatalytic nanoparticles, (6) to determine the short-term chronic toxicity of chlorinated phenols to E. coli and Ceriodaphnia dubia in the presence of photocatalytic nanoparticles, and (7) to determine the short-term toxicity of photocatalytic nanoparticles to freshwater algal assemblages.
