Metal-based nanoparticles in natural aquatic environments: concentrations, toxic effects and kinetic processes

Metal-based nanoparticles (MNPs) are widely used in many aspects of production and life, resulting in their detection in various types of aquatic environments globally with mass concentrations mostly in the range of ng/L-μg/L. Therefore, more attention should be paid to considering realistic situations and exposure scenarios at environmentally relevant MNPs concentrations. With the support of new technology and methods, the environmental concentration distribution of MNPs in the aquatic environment was investigated and sorted out. In addition, based on environmentally relevant concentrations, the toxic effects of MNPs on aquatic organisms were systematically evaluated, including chronic toxicity, food chain transfer, and ecosystem impacts. Finally, the application of dynamic models to describe the behavior of nanoparticles in the components of aquatic ecosystems is discussed. Based on the above, future studies should conduct toxicological experiments based on environmental background data and integrate the parameters obtained from the experiments to construct more general predictive models, in order to achieve experimental-modelling synergistic means to provide more understanding and reference for the aquatic ecological risk of MNPs.