We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The Comparative Effects of Visible Light and UV-A Radiation on the Combined Toxicity of P25 TiO2 Nanoparticles and Polystyrene Microplastics on Chlorella sp
Summary
This study found that TiO2 nanoparticles and polystyrene microplastics together are more toxic to marine microalgae than either pollutant alone, and that UV-A radiation makes the combined toxicity significantly worse than under ordinary visible light. TiO2 generates reactive oxygen species under UV-A that damage algal cells, with microplastics amplifying the oxidative stress. Because TiO2 nanoparticles and microplastics co-occur in surface waters where UV light is abundant, this interaction could pose a greater threat to marine photosynthetic organisms than studies conducted under standard lab lighting would suggest.
Abstract The ubiquitous presence of TiO2 nanoparticles (nTiO2) and microplastics (MPs) in marine ecosystems has raised serious concerns about their combined impact on marine biota. In the natural environment, marine microalgae can interact with mixtures of nTiO2 and MPs under both visible light and UV-A radiation conditions. However, most of the previous toxicity studies employed visible light conditions, so the influence of UV-A radiation on toxicity remains poorly understood. To address this gap, the current study aimed to compare the effects of visible light and UV-A radiation on the combined toxic effects of nTiO2 and polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) in the marine microalga Chlorella sp using artificial seawater directly as the test medium. Our results demonstrated that under UV-A radiation the algal growth inhibition was significantly enhanced compared to that in visible light conditions. The mixtures of nTiO2 and PSMPs exhibited significant enhanced toxicity than their pristine forms. Specifically, the mixtures of nTiO2 and NH2-functionalized PSMPs (10mg/L) showed higher toxicity to algae than the mixtures with COOH-functionalized PSMPs (10mg/L). Furthermore, UV-A radiation exacerbated the hetero aggregation between algae and pollutants. The photoactive nTiO2, promoted increased production of reactive oxygen species under UV-A exposure resulting in cellular damage, lipid peroxidation, and impaired photosynthesis. The effects were more pronounced in case of the mixtures where PSMPs added to the oxidative stress. The toxic effects of the binary mixtures of nTiO2 and PSMPs were further confirmed through the Field Emission Electron Microscopy, revealing specific morphological abnormalities. This study provides valuable insights into the potential risks associated with the combination of nTiO2 and MPs in marine environments, considering the influence of environmentally relevant light conditions and the test medium.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
The comparative effects of visible light and UV-A radiation on the combined toxicity of P25 TiO2 nanoparticles and polystyrene microplastics on Chlorella sp.
Scientists studied how titanium dioxide nanoparticles and polystyrene microplastics together affect green algae under visible light versus UV-A radiation. UV-A light made titanium dioxide more toxic on its own, but when combined with microplastics, the mixture actually reduced toxicity because the plastics absorbed some of the reactive chemicals generated by UV exposure. The findings suggest that light conditions significantly change how multiple pollutants interact in marine environments.
Impact of UVA and visible light conditions in modulating the toxicity of binary mixture of polystyrene micro plastics and TiO2 nanoparticles in brine shrimp (Artemia salina)
Researchers investigated how UVA and visible light conditions affect the combined toxicity of polystyrene microplastics and titanium dioxide nanoparticles in brine shrimp. They found that binary mixtures were more toxic than microplastics alone, with UVA irradiation enhancing oxidative stress and neurotoxicity from the nanoparticles. The study suggests that light conditions in marine environments can significantly modulate how microplastics and nanoparticles interact to harm aquatic organisms.
Polystyrene nanoplastics diminish the toxic effects of Nano-TiO2 in marine algae Chlorella sp.
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics reduced the toxic effects of nano-titanium dioxide on marine algae by forming larger aggregates that decreased the bioavailability of both particle types. The combined exposure led to lower oxidative stress and reduced cellular damage compared to nano-titanium dioxide alone. The study demonstrates that interactions between different types of nanoparticles in marine environments can produce antagonistic effects that alter their individual toxicity profiles.
Influence of differently functionalized polystyrene microplastics on the toxic effects of P25 TiO2 NPs towards marine algae Chlorella sp.
Differently functionalized polystyrene microplastics (plain, amino, carboxyl) were tested for their influence on the toxicity of TiO₂ nanoparticles to marine algae Chlorella sp., finding that microplastics altered TiO₂ aggregation behavior and modified its effective toxicity in a surface-chemistry-dependent manner. The study demonstrates that microplastic-nanoparticle interactions in marine environments can change the ecotoxicological outcome of either contaminant alone.
Toxicity evaluation of nano-TiO2 in the presence of functionalized microplastics at two trophic levels: Algae and crustaceans
Researchers examined how different surface-functionalized polystyrene microplastics affect the toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles across two trophic levels, using algae and brine shrimp. They found that aminated and plain microplastics enhanced nano-TiO2 toxicity to algae, while carboxylated microplastics reduced it. Direct aqueous exposure caused greater toxicity in brine shrimp than dietary exposure, suggesting that the route of exposure significantly influences combined contaminant effects.