Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle Circulation in an Aquatic Ecosystem

Abstract

Nanotechnology is a dynamically developing field of scientific and industrial interest across the entire world, and the commercialization of nanoparticles (NPs) is rapidly expanding. Incorporation of nanotechnologies into a range of manufactured goods results in increasing concern regarding the subsequent release of engineered NPs into the environment. One of the biggest threats of using NPs is the transfer and magnification of these particles in the trophic chain. The aim of the studies was the evaluation of the distribution of TiO2 NP contamination in the aquatic ecosystem under laboratory conditions. Bioaccumulation of TiO2 NPs by plants (Elodea canadensis) and fish (Danio rerio) in the source of contamination was investigated. The studies were focused on the consequences of short-term water contamination with TiO2 NPs and the secondary contamination of the components of the investigated model ecosystem (plants, sediments). It was found that in the fish and the plants exposed to NP contamination, the amount of Ti was higher than in the control, indicating an effective bioaccumulation of NPs or ions originating from NPs. It was clearly shown that the NPs present in the sediments are available to plants and fish. Additionally, the aquatic plants, an important trophic level in the food chain, can accumulate NPs and be a source of NPs for higher organisms. It was concluded that even an incidental contamination of water by NPs may result in long-term consequences induced by the release of NPs.

Rethinking Nano‐TiO2 Safety: Overview of Toxic Effects in Humans and Aquatic Animals

“…Engineered TiO 2 nanoparticles are released into the aquatic environment from multiple point-and non-point sources. [4,85] The fate of nano-TiO 2 in the aquatic environment depends on their aggregation and sedimentation rates, transport with water and sediments and interactions with the living and non-living components of the ecosystem [85][86][87] (Figure 4). Salinity and pH (and more generally the presence of cations) as well as organic matter (including humic acids, dissolved organic matter (DOM) and particulate (POM) organic matter) may strongly affect the aggregation and sedimentation rates of nano-TiO 2 .…”

Degradation Efficiency and Kinetics Analysis of an Advanced Oxidation Process Utilizing Ozone, Hydrogen Peroxide and Persulfate to Degrade the Dye Rhodamine B

“…It is worth noting that the PDS/O 3 /UV combination did not use solid catalysts (e.g., TiO 2 ). Recent literature reports [58][59][60] identify titanium (Ti) as a contaminant due to the drastic increase in the use of Ti in personal care products (cosmetics, sunscreens), environmental applications (photocatalysts), and drug delivery systems. Sodium persulfate (PDS) is not expected to bioaccumulate (it decomposes into ions ubiquitous in the environment) and will not be absorbed into soil or sediments due to its dissociation and high water solubility [61], whereas ozone and UV radiation are commonly used in water disinfection.…”

Are Titania Photocatalysts and Titanium Implants Safe? Review on the Toxicity of Titanium Compounds

“…For example, ROS have been detected in zebrafish embryos in vivo after their treatment with titania NPs, and smaller titania NPs causes higher ROS generation ( Figure 9 ) [ 185 ]. Moreover, Asztemborska et al [ 186 ] have found that titania NPs could be transferred from D. magna to D. rerio by dietary exposure. The estimated LC 50 of titania (particle size of 25 nm) for Japanese medaka is the same as that for D. magna , reaching 0.155 g/dm 3 .…”