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Past Meetings

Two symposia held in the framework of NIN conference in 2010 and 2011 have been organized by Ilaria Corsi (University of Siena, Italy) and Valeria Matranga (IBIM-CNR Palermo, Italy). The last 2011 edition, was chaired also by Teresa Fernandes (Heriott-Watt University, Edinburg, UK) who is the partner of the NIN network project and leader of the NIN workpackage 2 Hazard and fate of Nanomaterials in the Environment.

Topics were:

- 2010 Fate, behaviour and toxicity of engineered nanoparticles in the aquatic environment

- 2011 Responsible nanomaterials’ use to ensure marine ecosystem sustainability

The following remarks and statement have been produced with respect to marine nano-ecotoxicology:

1- the marine ecosystem can act as a potential sink for nanomaterials;

2- nanocomposite and byproducts may behave differently according to the nature of the receiving water body, thus affecting bioavailability and toxicity;

3- nanomaterials may be prone to bioaccumulation and biomagnification along trophic chains, thus potentially affecting marine biological resources. Their transfer to man-kind, through consumption of contaminated fishery products, may have impacts on human health;

4- nanomaterials may deteriorate or remediate marine environmental quality, including coastal, naturalistic and recreational areas, with social and economic repercussions.

The symposia gathered the best scientific expertise at European level. Aims were: to address and stimulate a comprehensive discussion on key issues pertaining to fate and effects of nanomaterials in the marine environment, namely: fate and occurrence, detection, chemistry, physicochemical behaviour, effects of chemical mixtures and bioassays with marine animals.