Co-exposures of acid rain and ZnO nanoparticles accelerate decomposition of aquatic leaf litter

Jingjing Du; Wenrui Qv; Yulong Niu; Shuaikang Yuan; Lingyan Zhang; Huilian Yang; Yuyan Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.128141

Co-exposures of acid rain and ZnO nanoparticles accelerate decomposition of aquatic leaf litter

J Hazard Mater. 2022 Mar 15:426:128141. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.128141. Epub 2021 Dec 24.

Authors

Jingjing Du¹, Wenrui Qv², Yulong Niu², Shuaikang Yuan², Lingyan Zhang², Huilian Yang², Yuyan Zhang²

Affiliations

¹ School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Pollution Treatment and Resource, China National Light Industry, Zhengzhou, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Environmental Pollution Control and Ecological Restoration, Henan Province, China. Electronic address: Dujj@zzuli.edu.cn.
² School of Materials and Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou, China.

PMID: 34968844
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.128141

Abstract

The pattern of acid rain is dependent on the ratio of SO₄^2- and NO₃^-, which change may affect the dissolution activity of dull heavy metals in the aquatic environment and further complicate the ongoing challenge of ecosystem stability and increase risks. In this study, we assessed the combined effects of acid rain (SO₄^2-: NO₃^- was 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2) and ZnO nanoparticles (30 ng L^-1) on plant litter decomposition through a microcosm experiment. The highest dissolution of ZnO nanoparticles was achieved when the SO₄^2-: NO₃^- ratio was 1:2, and there were no significant differences among other treatments. The fungal biomass showed significant decreases under acute exposures but tended to be adaptive during chronic exposures. The co-exposure significantly stimulated the activities of leucine-aminopeptidase, glycine-aminopeptidase, polyphenol oxidase, and cellobiohydrolase. Besides, the fungal diversity and the relative abundance of some functional genera (e.g. Anguillospora) were enhanced when the SO₄^2-: NO₃^- ratio was 1:2 and 2:1. In conclusion, the decomposition rate of plant litter was increased by 123-204% by co-exposures. Collectively, the findings underline the importance of considering environmental context to assess nanoparticle toxicity.

Keywords: Acid rain; Plant litter decomposition; SO(4)(2-): NO(3)(-) ratio; Stream ecosystem; ZnO nanoparticles.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Acid Rain*
Ascomycota*
Ecosystem
Fungi
Nanoparticles* / toxicity
Plant Leaves
Rivers
Zinc Oxide* / toxicity

Substances

Acid Rain
Zinc Oxide