Potential threats of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 nanoparticles to aquatic fungi associated with leaf decomposition

Abstract Synthesis of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 nanoparticles (ZIF-8 NPs) and evaluation of their potential threats on ecosystem functioning has been reported in this work. A 45-day indoor experiment was conducted to explore the effects of ZIF-8 NPs at three different concentrations (10, 100, and 1000 µg L-1) on the aquatic fungal community associated with Populus nigra L. leaf litter decomposition. After chronic exposure, ZIF-8 NPs at 1000 µg L-1 significantly inhibited fungal biomass and extracellular enzyme activities as a result of inhibition on carbon and nitrogen loss of leaves. Besides, ZIF-8 NPs at 10 µg L-1 increased the percentage of Anguillospora in the fungal community and led Monographella cucumerina and Mycosphaerella tassiana to become the hub species, which eventually significantly promoted the decomposition of leaf litter. In conclusion, our study provides a reference for the possible ecotoxicity of ZIF-8 NPs on aquatic fungi, confirms the influence of ZIF-8 NPs on nutrient cycling in streams, and also emphasizes the importance of fungal community structure and hub species in the process of leaf litter decomposition.