AGGREGATION AND SORPTIVE PROPERTIES OF SINGLE-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES IN THE ESTUARINE ENVIRONMENT

摘要

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are filamentous manifestations of a repeating aromatic carbon structure formed into an open cylinder1. Because of their unique physicochemical properties and potential for large-scale commercialization, concerns have emerged over potential adverse effects of nanomaterials such as SWNTs upon release into the aquatic environment. These concerns include direct toxicity to aquatic organisms2 as well as potential effects on the fate and distribution of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOC) through adsorptive sequestration. The estuarine environment is of particular interest with regards to fate of nanomaterials, as estuaries may serve as accumulation points for these contaminants in underlying sediments during mixing of SWNT-burdened fresh water with high ionic-strength seawater. Key to the evaluation of environmental impacts of SWNTs in estuarine systems will be an understanding of the distribution and fate of these materials upon entry into these high ionic strength aquatic environments.