distributed in the whole body via axons of nerves (Garcia et al. 2015). Secretion of
proteins such as MIP-1α, tumour necrosis factor-α and IL-6 gets aggravated
with the exposure of Nps released from the combustion of diesel which can damage brain’s functionality (Levesque et al. 2011). Nps released in environment as a
resultant of biomass burning are carcinogenic in nature because of surface bounded
PAHs associated with them (Halsall et al. 2008). Carbon black Nps are one of the
leading negative input of fuel industries in the atmosphere which leads to a variety of
body impairments such as pulmonary disorders (Zhou et al. 2020). The suspended
NPs effects the scenic view of environment by clustering together to form dust
clouds (Kabir et al. 2018).
3.5.3 Effects on Biosphere
Significant impact of nanotechnology on the living beings both biotic and abiotic can
be seen with evidences from literature.
3.5.3.1 Plants
Floral component of ecosystem is an important link for cycling of Nps in the living
world (Zhu et al. 2008). Nps trigger a series of processes that can potentially alter
important plant processes such as photosynthesis, growth rate and structure of
organelles of plant cells (Kibbey and Strevett 2019). Most of the imposed changes
are long-term effects. Phytotoxicity associated with Nps is validated by a considerable number of scientists with terms of biomagnification and bioaccumulation
(Hussain et al. 2019). Yang and Watts had conducted a study in which they had
reported the toxic effects of alumina Nps on the seeds of Avena sativa, Brassica
oleracea, Cucumis sativus, Glycine max and Zea mays in the form of root length
inhibition (Yang and Watts 2005). Zinc Nps and zinc oxide Nps have been reported
as seed germination inhibitor for ryegrass and corn respectively and possess potential of being a terminator of root elongating enzymes (Lin and Xing 2007). In a study
conducted by Zhu et al. when Cucurbita maxima was grown in hydroponics assisted
with the Nps of Fe 2 O 3 , they gets translocated to each part of the plants wherein they
were adsorbed and accumulated in the tissues (Zhu et al. 2008).
3.5.3.2 Animals
Carbon Nps have potential of causing inflammation and liver degeneration along
with the impairment of central veins and functioning of hepatocytes, thus weakening
both cellular and organ systems of mouse (Zhang et al. 2019). The toxic effect of
Nps on aquatic organisms has also been reported very well in literature. Citrate
coated silver Nps of 40 nm range leads to ion binding and alters the mechanism of
protein digestion and absorption, causing toxic effects in the invertebrate class of
Daphnia magna (Hou et al. 2017). Silver Nps (AgNPs) accumulation by Nereis
(Hediste) diversicolor has led to a considerable decrement in their burrowing
activity. Nereis coelomocytes showed a direct proportionality relation between
concentration of Nps and their toxic impacts. AgNps impose a considerable damage
60
T. Jasrotia et al.
proteins such as MIP-1α, tumour necrosis factor-α and IL-6 gets aggravated
with the exposure of Nps released from the combustion of diesel which can damage brain’s functionality (Levesque et al. 2011). Nps released in environment as a
resultant of biomass burning are carcinogenic in nature because of surface bounded
PAHs associated with them (Halsall et al. 2008). Carbon black Nps are one of the
leading negative input of fuel industries in the atmosphere which leads to a variety of
body impairments such as pulmonary disorders (Zhou et al. 2020). The suspended
NPs effects the scenic view of environment by clustering together to form dust
clouds (Kabir et al. 2018).
3.5.3 Effects on Biosphere
Significant impact of nanotechnology on the living beings both biotic and abiotic can
be seen with evidences from literature.
3.5.3.1 Plants
Floral component of ecosystem is an important link for cycling of Nps in the living
world (Zhu et al. 2008). Nps trigger a series of processes that can potentially alter
important plant processes such as photosynthesis, growth rate and structure of
organelles of plant cells (Kibbey and Strevett 2019). Most of the imposed changes
are long-term effects. Phytotoxicity associated with Nps is validated by a considerable number of scientists with terms of biomagnification and bioaccumulation
(Hussain et al. 2019). Yang and Watts had conducted a study in which they had
reported the toxic effects of alumina Nps on the seeds of Avena sativa, Brassica
oleracea, Cucumis sativus, Glycine max and Zea mays in the form of root length
inhibition (Yang and Watts 2005). Zinc Nps and zinc oxide Nps have been reported
as seed germination inhibitor for ryegrass and corn respectively and possess potential of being a terminator of root elongating enzymes (Lin and Xing 2007). In a study
conducted by Zhu et al. when Cucurbita maxima was grown in hydroponics assisted
with the Nps of Fe 2 O 3 , they gets translocated to each part of the plants wherein they
were adsorbed and accumulated in the tissues (Zhu et al. 2008).
3.5.3.2 Animals
Carbon Nps have potential of causing inflammation and liver degeneration along
with the impairment of central veins and functioning of hepatocytes, thus weakening
both cellular and organ systems of mouse (Zhang et al. 2019). The toxic effect of
Nps on aquatic organisms has also been reported very well in literature. Citrate
coated silver Nps of 40 nm range leads to ion binding and alters the mechanism of
protein digestion and absorption, causing toxic effects in the invertebrate class of
Daphnia magna (Hou et al. 2017). Silver Nps (AgNPs) accumulation by Nereis
(Hediste) diversicolor has led to a considerable decrement in their burrowing
activity. Nereis coelomocytes showed a direct proportionality relation between
concentration of Nps and their toxic impacts. AgNps impose a considerable damage
60
T. Jasrotia et al.