Journal of Pollution Effects & Control
Open Access

Mbulwe S

Publications

• Research Article
  Investigating the Toxicity of Cu, CuO and ZnO Nanoparticles on Earthworms in Urban Soils
  Author(s): Mwaanga P*, Mbulwe S, Shumbula P and NyirendaJ Mwaanga P*, Mbulwe S, Shumbula P and NyirendaJ
  
  Even though some studies have shown that copper (Cu), copper oxide (CuO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) are toxic to a number of organisms, fewer studies have investigated toxicity of these NPs in actual soils. This study investigated the effect of Cu, CuO and ZnO NPs in both urban and artificial soils. The aim was to examine the differences on these NPs’ ability to cause oxidative stress to organisms in urban and artificial soils. Earthworms, Eisenia fetida, (2 months old) were exposed to varying concentrations of NPs and bulk materials (used for comparison purposes) of Cu, CuO and ZnO ranging from 100-500 mg/kg, 100-4000 mg/kg and 100-4000 mg/kg, respectively, for 14 days, for each soil type. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were measured at the end of exposure period. The accumulation of Cu and .. View More»
  DOI: 10.4172/2375-4397.1000195

  Abstract PDF

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