Meeting Abstract
Production and utilization of commercial products containing metallic nanoparticles have dramatically increased in recent years, prompting researchers to investigate their effects on environmental systems. While the primary effect of metallic nanoparticles to aquatic species has been relatively well characterized, very little attention has been paid to the potential secondary toxic effects, particularly alteration of intestinal microbial communities in the host fish. The intestinal microbiome has recently been shown to be of high importance to maintaining health status of many organisms, including aquatic species. Recent research has shown that zebrafish exposed to metallic nanoparticles accumulate these particles in tissue and display adverse effects such as altered gill ultrastructure, gene expression, and mortality. As many metallic nanoparticles are known to have strong antimicrobial properties, we hypothesized that the uptake of nanoparticles by zebrafish may disrupt the endogenous microbiota. Zebrafish were exposed to two sublethal concentrations of nanocopper and nanosilver for 48h, and the intestines removed and sent for metagenomics 16S sequencing. By comparing control and treated microbial community structures, we were able to determine the precise bacterial populations that were affected. Initial results indicate that the numbers of major populations of intestinal microbes were not significantly effected; however, numbers of lesser populations of bacteria were significantly effected when compared to control groups. The results of this research could provide important ecological information about the habitats of D. rerio and the projected effects of metal nanoparticulate pollution in water systems. Final statistical analysis in progress.
