Evaluating the toxicity of Cobalt Tungstate Nanoparticles (CoWO4-NPs) and Nickel Tungstate Nanoparticles (NiWO4-NPs) to Danio rerio embryos

• Grant number: 25/08354-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: July 16, 2025
• End date: January 15, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Elson Longo da Silva
• Grantee: Cínthia Bruno de Abreu
• Supervisor: Susana Patricia Mendes Loureiro
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade de Aveiro (UA), Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/13607-7 - Environmental impacts of CoWO4 and NiWO4 nanoparticles on trophic levels of an aquatic food chain, BP.PD

Abstract

The pollution of water bodies, resulting from the increasing production and use of NPs (NPs; <100 nm) in various products used daily, has raised concerns. Especially, cobalt tungstate nanoparticles (CoWO4-NPs) and nickel tungstate nanoparticles (NiWO4-NPs) have applications in the environmental and technological areas, such as in humidity and gas sensors, catalysis, batteries, water splitting and in the degradation of organic contaminants present in water bodies, which contributes to the presence of these NPs in aquatic ecosystems. In view of this, toxicity tests are important tools for describing and identifying the ecological risks resulting from contamination and, although several studies report the toxicity of NPs to aquatic biota, the effects of CoWO4 and NiWO4 on aquatic organisms are still very scarce and even non-existent. Therefore, the aim of this research is to evaluate the effects of CoWO4 and NiWO4 nanoparticles on the early stages of the fish Danio rerio (zebrafish - ZF), to be carried out at the Center for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), at the University of Aveiro under the supervision of Dr Susana Loureiro. The tests will include determinations of lethal and sublethal concentrations and behavioral analysis (analysis that can only be carried out by BEPE). It is expected that the results of this study will provide valuable information to compare with data produced with organisms representing species from the tropical region (Brazil project) and for the development of functional materials that are safe for aquatic biota and humans. This will enable the development of strategies to mitigate possible environmental impacts and the elaboration of effective environmental public policies. (AU)