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Exposure to carbon nanotube and phenanthrene: Impact on germination and seedling growth of rice
Received:January 10, 2018  
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KeyWord:carbon nanomaterial;persistent organic pollutant;phytotoxicity;antioxidant enzyme;ecological risk
Author NameAffiliationE-mail
ZHONG Jian-dan College of Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Engineering, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Analysis and Test Center, 605 Group of Metallurgical Geological Prospecting Bureau, Meishan 620860, China 
 
CHEN Hong-chun River Management Office of Pengshan Water Supplies Bureau, Meishan 620860, China  
LUO Chun-yan Linqiong Industrial Park Management Committee, Qionglai 611530, China  
LI Ke-cen College of Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Engineering, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China  
XIANG Jun-jun College of Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Engineering, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China  
WANG Li-lin College of Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Engineering, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China lilin.w26@sicau.edu.cn 
DENG Shi-huai College of Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Engineering, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China  
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Abstract:
      To investigate the ecological risk of carbon nanomaterials and persistent organic pollutants, hydroponic experiments were carried out to test the germination, growth, and physiological and biochemical response of rice that was exposed to multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and/or phenanthrene. Compared to the control, 60 mg·L-1 MWCNT had no obvious effects on the seed germination rate and root biomass of rice seedlings but increased the shoot biomass by approximately 29% and at the same time activated the antioxidant enzyme. 1.2 mg·L-1 phenanthrene decreased the seed germination rate by 22% and the root and shoot biomass by 33% and 44%, respectively. In addition, phenanthrene inhibited antioxidant enzyme activities and led to oxidative damage to the plant. When MWCNT and phenanthrene coexisted, the adsorption of phenanthrene to MWCNT (adsorbed amount was around 50% in 2 h) reduced the bioavailability of phenanthrene. Thus, compared with exposure to phenanthrene alone, the germination rate showed no significant difference from that of the control group; however, the shoot biomass was about 19% higher than that of the control. Although the antioxidant enzyme activities were inhibited and peroxidation took place, the accumulated amount of peroxidation product was much lower than that of the group exposed to phenanthrene alone. The coexistence of carbon nanomaterials and organic pollutants will thus alleviate the phytotoxicity caused by organic pollutants, and the introduction of carbon nanomaterials to the environment may change the ecological risk of environmental pollutants.