Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) lead to growth retardation, antioxidant depletion, and activation of the ERK signaling pathway but decrease copper bioavailability in the monogonont rotifer (Brachionus koreanus)

• MWCNT uptake in B. koreanus was via intestinal digestion.
• MWCNTs decreased population growth rate, body size, and fecundity of B. koreanus.
• MWCNTs adversely affected the antioxidant system of B. koreanus.
• MWCNTs decreased copper toxicity by reducing copper bioavailability.
• MWCNT exposure induced ERK activation.

To examine the toxic effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in the marine environment, we first exposed the monogonont rotifer (Brachionus koreanus) to MWCNTs in the presence of copper. The acute toxicity of copper decreased significantly with a decrease in copper bioavailability resulting from MWCNT exposure. Furthermore, we examined the effects of MWCNT exposure on reproductive capacity, population growth rate, growth patterns, antioxidant systems, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation. Reproductive capacity, population growth rate, and body growth rate were significantly suppressed in B. koreanus in response to 1.3–4 mg/L MWCNT exposure. Furthermore, MWCNTs induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased the antioxidant enzymatic activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR). However, the enzymatic activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) was up-regulated after a 24 h-exposure to 100 mg/L MWCNTs. Exposure to 100 mg/L MCWNTs induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in B. koreanus, suggesting that p-ERK may mediate the adverse effects of MWCNTs in B. koreanus via the MAPK signaling pathway. Our results provide insight into the mechanistic basis of the ecotoxicological effects of MWCNTs in the marine environment.