Potential Nano-Ecotoxicity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Through Its Influence to Fungi

Abstract: Nanotechnology is a fast growing scientific area, and the related industries have rising in the air. Nanomaterials that involved in the nanotechnology are rather small and with unique properties that we have not yet fully understood. In this point of view, we need to gain more knowledge about the influence of nanomaterials to the natural ecology, since we will soon face a lot of “Nano wastes”. The objective of this study is to understanding the influence of ZnO nanoparticles to different fungi, and how it changes their growing competence. Through the results, we can analyze the potential eco-toxicity of the ZnO nanoparticles, which is considered as safe materials when it in the size scale of micrometers or bigger. We selected four fungi and observed their growth under six different ZnO nanoparticle concentrations, and found that the nanoparticles have different effect on the growth of different fungi. Also, we found ZnO nanoparticles can change the balance of two fungi that were growing at the same culture. Based on the results, we discussed three models about how the nanoparticles could be toxic to the forest eco-system, and conclude that there are potential risks if the nanoparticles are explored to the nature.