We systematically investigated how the combinations of size, shape and the natural organic matter (NOM)-ecocorona of gold (Au) engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) influence the attachment of the particles to algae and physical toxicity to the cells. Spherical (10, 60 and 100 nm), urchin-shaped (60 nm), rod-shaped (10 × 45, 40 × 60 and 50 × 100 nm), and wire-shaped (75 × 500, 75 × 3000 and 75 × 6000 nm) citrate-coated and NOM-coated Au-ENPs were used. Among the spherical particles only the spherical 10 nm Au-ENPs caused membrane damage to algae. Only the rod-shaped 10 × 45 nm induced membrane damage among the rod-shaped Au-ENPs. Wire-shaped Au-ENPs caused no membrane damage to the algae. NOM ecocorona decreased the membrane damage effects of spherical 10 nm and rod-shaped 10 × 45 nm ENPs. The spherical Au-ENPs were mostly loosely attached to the cells compared to other shapes, whereas the wire-shaped Au-ENPs were mostly strongly attached compared to particles with other shapes. NOM ecocorona determined the strength of Au-ENPs attachment to the cell wall, leading to the formation of loose rather than strong attachment of Au-ENPs to the cells. After removal of the loosely and strongly attached Au-ENPs, some particles remained anchored to the surface of the algae. The highest concentration was detected for spherical 10 nm Au-ENPs followed by rod-shaped 10 × 45 nm Au-ENPs, while the lowest concentration was observed for the wire-shaped Au-ENPs. The combined effect of shape, size, and ecocorona controls the Au-ENPs attachment and physical toxicity to cells.

• MeSH
• buněčná membrána účinky léků   ultrastruktura   MeSH
• ekotoxikologie MeSH
• huminové látky analýza   MeSH
• konfokální mikroskopie MeSH
• kovové nanočástice * chemie   toxicita   MeSH
• mikrořasy účinky léků   růst a vývoj   MeSH
• povrchové vlastnosti MeSH
• velikost částic MeSH
• zlato * chemie   toxicita   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH