Effects of Carbon Quantum Dots on Aquatic Environments: Comparison of Toxicity to Organisms at Different Trophic Levels

Abstract

value of 74.8 mg/L, suggesting that S. obliquus, the lowest trophic level in this study, was most sensitive to CQDs exposure. Further investigations revealed that CQDs induced an increase in oxidative stress in algae cells and a decrease in pH value of an algae medium, indicating that oxidative stress and water acidification may be the mechanisms underlying the toxicity of CQDs to S. obliquus.