Assessment of toxicity and oxidative stress induced by rare earth oxide nanoparticles in brine shrimp (Artemia salina)

Abstract

This study meticulously explored the oxidative stress effects induced by lanthanum (III) oxide (La₂O₃), erbium (III) oxide (Er₂O₃), and yttrium (III) oxide (Y₂O₃) nanoparticles on Artemia salina, with the objective of evaluating the environmental toxicity of rare earth oxide nanoparticles. The characterization of the nanoparticles was conducted using a suite of advanced techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential analysis. Artemia salina, a widely recognized model organism in ecotoxicological research, was exposed to these nanoparticles under meticulously controlled laboratory conditions. The investigation focused on quantifying oxidative stress markers, such as reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant enzymes including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). The findings revealed significant alterations in these biomarkers, indicating nanoparticle-induced oxidative stress, which varied according to the type of nanoparticle and the duration of exposure.

Keywords: Nanoparticle toxicity; Rare earth elements; Zooplankton.