TY - JOUR
T1 - How Microbial Aggregates Protect against Nanoparticle Toxicity
AU - Tang, Jun
AU - Wu, Yonghong
AU - Esquivel-Elizondo, Sofia
AU - Sørensen, Søren Johannes
AU - Rittmann, Bruce E
N1 - Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
PY - 2018/11
Y1 - 2018/11
N2 - The increasing use and discharge of nanoparticles (NPs) pose risks to microorganisms that maintain the health of aquatic ecosystems. Although NPs are toxic to microorganisms, they tend to form microbial aggregates to protect themselves. Two main mechanisms account for the reduced toxicity: the dense physical structure acts as a barrier to NP exposure in the interior of the aggregate, and aggregation stabilizes a complex microbial ecosystem that enhances the ability of the community to adapt to prolonged NP exposure. We highlight the opportunities and challenges for managing microbial aggregates in wastewater treatment to remove or control NPs. For example, understanding the resistance mechanisms can help to design smart NPs that are less toxic to useful microorganisms or more toxic towards pathogenic microorganisms.
AB - The increasing use and discharge of nanoparticles (NPs) pose risks to microorganisms that maintain the health of aquatic ecosystems. Although NPs are toxic to microorganisms, they tend to form microbial aggregates to protect themselves. Two main mechanisms account for the reduced toxicity: the dense physical structure acts as a barrier to NP exposure in the interior of the aggregate, and aggregation stabilizes a complex microbial ecosystem that enhances the ability of the community to adapt to prolonged NP exposure. We highlight the opportunities and challenges for managing microbial aggregates in wastewater treatment to remove or control NPs. For example, understanding the resistance mechanisms can help to design smart NPs that are less toxic to useful microorganisms or more toxic towards pathogenic microorganisms.
U2 - 10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.06.009
DO - 10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.06.009
M3 - Review
C2 - 30029801
SN - 0167-7799
VL - 36
SP - 1171
EP - 1182
JO - Trends in Biotechnology
JF - Trends in Biotechnology
IS - 11
ER -