Comparative developmental toxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles and ferric chloride to zebrafish (Danio rerio) after static and semi-static exposure

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are used in several medical and environmental applications, but their mechanism of action and hazardous effects to early developmental stages of fish remain unknown. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the developmental toxicity of citrate-functionalized IONPs (γ-Fe2O3 NPs), in comparison with its dissolved counterpart, in zebrafish (Danio rerio) after static and semi-static exposure. Embryos were exposed to environmental concentrations of both iron forms (0.3, 0.6, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg L−1) during 144 h, jointly with negative control group. The interaction and distribution of both Fe forms on the external chorion and larvae surface were measured, following by multiple biomarker assessment (mortality, hatching rate, neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, morphological alterations and 12 morphometrics parameters). Results showed that IONPs were mainly accumulated on the zebrafish chorion, and in the digestive system and liver of the larvae. Although the IONPs induced low embryotoxicity compared to iron ions in both exposure conditions, these nanomaterials induced sublethal effects, mainly cardiotoxic effects (reduced heartbeat, blood accumulation in the heart and pericardial edema). The semi-static exposure to both iron forms induced high embryotoxicity compared to static exposure, indicating that the nanotoxicity to early developmental stages of fish depends on the exposure system. This is the first study concerning the role of the exposure condition on the developmental toxicity of IONPs on fish species. [Display omitted] •Differential developmental toxicity of γ-Fe₂O₃ NPs and iron ions in zebrafish.•Embryotoxicity of γ-Fe₂O₃ NPs depends on the exposure condition (static and semi-static).•Semi-static exposure induced high embryotoxicity than static exposure.•γ-Fe₂O₃ NPs induced several cardiotoxic effects on zebrafish embryos.