Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
Transport of Surface-modified Carbon Nanotubes through a Soil Column
Published on: April 2, 2015
Determination of multi-walled carbon nanotube bioaccumulation in earthworms measured by a microwave-based detection
Shibin Li1, Fahmida Irin, Francis O Atore
1Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), Texas Tech University, Box 41163, Lubbock TX 79409-1163, USA. li.shibin@epa.gov
Abstract:
Reliable quantification techniques for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are limited. In this study, a new procedure was developed for quantifying multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in earthworms (Eisenia fetida) based on freeze drying and microwave-induced heating. Specifically, earthworms were first processed into a powder by freeze drying. Then, samples were measured by utilizing 10 s exposure to 30 W microwave power. This method showed the potential to quantitatively measure MWNTs in earthworms at low concentrations (~0.1 μg in 20 mg of earthworm). Also, a simple MWNT bioaccumulation study in earthworms indicated a low bioaccumulation factor of 0.015±0.004. With an appropriate sample processing method and instrumental parameters (power and exposure time), this technique has the potential to quantify MWNTs in a variety of sample types (plants, earthworms, human blood, etc.).
