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Toxicity evaluation of nano-TiO2 in the presence of functionalized microplastics at two trophic levels: Algae and crustaceans
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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.
The rising use of contaminants such as nanoparticles and microplastics has taken a heavy toll on the marine environment. However, their combined toxic effects on the species across various trophic levels remain quite unexplored. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of three surface-functionalized (carboxylated, plain, and aminated) polystyrene microplastics on nano-TiO toxicity across two trophic levels containing Chlorella sp. as the prey and Artemia salina as the predator. The experiments carried out on Chlorella sp. include the toxicity assessment, oxidative stress determination, and uptake of nano-TiO (both in the presence and absence of microplastics). Results revealed that the aminated and plain polystyrene microplastics enhanced nano-TiO toxicity, while carboxylated microplastics decreased the toxic effects in Chlorella sp. On the other hand, toxicity assessment in Artemia salina was carried out using two different modes of exposure: aqueous and dietary routes. The aqueous route involving the direct exposure of nano-TiO and microplastics indicated greater toxicity, uptake, and accumulation in Artemia salina than the dietary route of exposure. Since dietary exposure decreased the toxicity, uptake, and accumulation of nano-TiO, no change (p > 0.05) in the biomagnification factors of nano-TiO was noted for all the test concentrations of nano-TiO combined with and without microplastics. The computed values were less than 1, indicating negligible transfer of nano-TiO from Chlorella sp. to Artemia salina. Overall, the study highlights the two-level trophic toxicity and the transfer potential of nano-TiO under the influence of different microplastics.
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Influence of differently functionalized polystyrene microplastics on the toxic effects of P25 TiO2 NPs towards marine algae Chlorella sp.
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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.
Polystyrene nanoplastics diminish the toxic effects of Nano-TiO2 in marine algae Chlorella sp.
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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.
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)
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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.
Nanoplastics enhance the toxic effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticle in freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus
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Researchers investigated how fluorescent nanoplastics modify the toxic effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the freshwater algae Scenedesmus obliquus. They found that when nanoplastics were combined with titanium dioxide, oxidative stress markers, lipid damage, and antioxidant enzyme activity all increased significantly beyond individual exposures. The study demonstrates that nanoplastics can enhance the toxicity of other environmental contaminants in freshwater organisms.
The comparative effects of visible light and UV-A radiation on the combined toxicity of P25 TiO2 nanoparticles and polystyrene microplastics on Chlorella sp.
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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.
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