• Clean Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2016

The nanotoxicity of ZnO nanoparticles used in cosmetics and tire industry is one of emerged issues. Herein, the removal of ZnO nanoparticles dispersed in aqueous phase and its ecotoxicity were investigated. In the short-term exposure for fertilized eggs (O. latipes), the deformity was observed at 5 mg L⁻¹ of ZnO nanoparticles in some individuals and delayed hatching of eggs by retarded growth was observed at 10 mg L⁻¹ of ZnO nanoparticles. This result show that ZnO nanoparticles have cytotoxic effect to the organisms lived in water phase. Therefore, herein, the removal of ZnO nanoparticles in aqueous phase by chemical precipitation was investigated. After addition of Na₂S and Na₂HPO₄, the precipitated ZnO was transformed to ZnS and Zn₃(PO₄)₂ particles, respectively. The removal efficiency of ZnO was reached to almost 100% for two cases. In addition, the toxicity tests about ZnS and Zn₃(PO₄)₂ particles showed no acute toxicity for D. magna. This implies that transformation of ZnO to ZnS and Zn₃(PO₄)₂ particles with very low ionization constant might decrease effectively the toxicity of ZnO.