TiO2 nanoparticles enhanced bioaccumulation and toxic performance of PAHs via trophic transfer

Jing Lu; Pu Wang; Shengyan Tian; Wei Qian; Yuxiong Huang; Zhenyu Wang; Xiaoshan Zhu; Zhonghua Cai

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124834

TiO₂ nanoparticles enhanced bioaccumulation and toxic performance of PAHs via trophic transfer

J Hazard Mater. 2021 Apr 5:407:124834. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124834. Epub 2020 Dec 15.

Authors

Jing Lu¹, Pu Wang², Shengyan Tian³, Wei Qian², Yuxiong Huang², Zhenyu Wang⁴, Xiaoshan Zhu⁵, Zhonghua Cai²

Affiliations

¹ Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China; Southern Laboratory of Ocean Science and Engineering (Guangdong, Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519000, PR China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Prevention and Control, State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment of Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, PR China.
² Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China.
³ College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, PR China.
⁴ Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control and School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, PR China.
⁵ Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, PR China; Southern Laboratory of Ocean Science and Engineering (Guangdong, Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519000, PR China. Electronic address: zhu.xiaoshan@sz.tsinghua.edu.cn.

PMID: 33360186
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124834

Abstract

Engineering nanoparticles (NPs) could act as accumulator and carrier of co-contaminants, affecting their fate and toxicity in environments. However, the effects of NPs on the bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of co-contaminants through the food chain and the ensuing effects on higher predators are unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO₂) on the trophic transfer of phenanthrene (Phe) from prey Artemia salina to predator Scophthalmus maximus. We also evaluated the ensuing toxic performance of Phe in S. maximus after been transferred from A. salina in the presence and absence of nTiO₂. The presence of nTiO₂ significantly (p < 0.05) increased Phe accumulation in A. salina with higher bioconcentration factor (BCF) up to 90.9 than that of 38.6 in Phe exposure along. After trophic transfer, nTiO₂ (1 mg/L) also promoted the bioaccumulation of Phe (1 μg/L) in predator S. maximus from 4.17 mg/kg to 7.85 mg/kg (dry weight). However, nTiO₂ did not enhance the trophic transfer of Phe from A. salina to S. maximus since the biological magnification factor (BMF) decreased from 0.13 to 0.08. Nevertheless, the nTiO₂-enhanced bioaccumulation of Phe did enhance Phe toxicity performance in predator S. maximus after trophic transfer, showing significant (p < 0.05) growth inhibition and changes of nutrient status in the predator, compared to those of the control. Further physio-biochemical investigations suggested that oxidative stress and inhibition of digestive functions might explain the growth inhibition in treatment with nTiO₂ + Phe. This study demonstrates the first evidence that NP-enhanced bioaccumulation and toxic performance of co-existing pollutants across trophic transfer, which poses potential risks to marine ecosystems, and ultimately human health by seafood consumption.

Keywords: Artemia salina; Nanoparticles (NPs); Phe; Scophthalmus maximus; Trophic transfer; nTiO(2).

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Bioaccumulation
Ecosystem
Humans
Nanoparticles* / toxicity
Titanium / toxicity
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / toxicity

Substances

Water Pollutants, Chemical
titanium dioxide
Titanium