Adsorptivity of mercury on magnetite nano-particles and their influences on growth, economical, hemato-biochemical, histological parameters and bioaccumulation in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

Among toxic pollutants, Mercury (Hg) is a toxic heavy metal that induces harmful impacts on aquatic ecosystems directly and human being's health indirectly. This study confirmed the in vitro magnetic potential of magnetite Nano-Particles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) against waterborne Hg exposure-induced toxicity in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). We further evaluate the safety profile of Fe₃O₄ NPs on fish growth, hemato-biochemical, histological parameters, bioaccumulation in muscles, and economy. Magnetite nanoparticles were characterized, adsorption loading to Hg ions was investigated, and testing different concentrations of Fe₃O₄ NPs (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 mg/L) was applied to determine the highest concentration of adsorption. An in vivo experiment includes 120 fish with an average weight of 26.2 ± 0.26 g were randomly divided into 4 equal groups, each group had three replicates (n = 30 fish/group; 10 fish/ replicate). All groups were fed on a reference basal diet and the experiment was conducted for 30 days. The first group (G₁) was allocated as a control. The second group (G₂) received 1.0 mg/L aqueous suspension of Fe₃O₄ NPs. The third group (G₃) was exposed to an aqueous solution of Hg ions at a concentration of 0.025 mg/L. Meanwhile, the fourth group (G₄) acquired an aqueous suspension composed of a mixture of Hg ions and Fe₃O₄ NPs as previously mentioned. Throughout the exposure period, the clinical signs, symptoms, and mortalities were recorded. The Hg ions-exposed group induced the following consequences; reduced appetite resulting in reduced growth and less economic efficiency; microcytic hypochromic anemia, leukocytosis, lymphopenia, and neutrophilia; sharp and clear depletion in the immune indicators including lysozymes activity, immunoglobulin M (IgM), and Myeloperoxidase activities (MPO); significant higher levels of ALT, AST, urea, creatinine, and Superoxide dismutase (SOD); histological alterations of gill, hepatic and muscular tissues with strong expression of apoptotic marker (caspase 3); and a higher accumulation of Hg ions in the muscles. Surprisingly, Fe₃O₄ NPs-supplemented groups exhibited strong adsorption capacity against the Hg ions and mostly removed the Hg ions accumulation in the muscles. Also, the hematological, biochemical, and histological parameters were recovered. Thus, in order to assess the antitoxic role of Fe₃O₄ NPs against Hg and their safety on O. niloticus, and fill the gap of the research, the current context was investigated to evaluate the promising role of Fe₃O₄ NPs to prevent Hg-exposure-induced toxicity and protection of fish health, which ascertains essentiality for sustainable development of nanotechnology in the aquatic environment.

Keywords: Adsorption capacity; Growth and economic performance; Hemato-biochemical; Immunohistochemistry; Magnetite nano-particles; Nile tilapia.