A Duke University team has found that single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) accumulate quickly in the bottom sediments of an experimental wetland setting (mesocosm).
The results indicate little risk to humans ingesting the particles through drinking water, the scientists say. But they say that the tendency for the nanotubes to accumulate in sediment could indirectly damage the aquatic food chain in the long term if the nanoparticles provide “Trojan horse” piggyback rides to other harmful molecules - an issue they want to address in follow-up studies. Read more