Changes in arsenate bioaccumulation, subcellular distribution, depuration, and toxicity in Artemia salina nauplii in the presence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Environmental Science: Nano Pub Date: 2017-04-21 DOI: 10.1039/C6EN00621C

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) can absorb ambient pollutants as well as modify their bioavailability in organisms. This study investigated the toxicity, accumulation, subcellular distribution, efflux and biochemical response of arsenate (As(V)) in the nauplii of Artemia salina after nano-TiO2 introduction. Results showed higher As(V) EC50 values in nauplii (by a magnitude of from 1.97 to 2.76) compared to the control (nano-TiO2 free) as we increased nano-TiO2 concentrations from 1 to 1000 mg L?1. Arsenic (As) accumulation was also significantly facilitated by nano-TiO2. As a result, we found that As(V) bioavailability differed between treatments (experiment and control). Moreover, As efflux rates were from 0.0584 ± 0.0083 to 0.3510 ± 0.0523 h?1, rising as nano-TiO2 concentrations increased. Along with As adsorption onto nano-TiO2 in exposure media, enhanced efflux could be related to a possible increase in adsorption in the gut of nauplii. Furthermore, we found that the As percentage in biologically active metal (BAM) fractions significantly decreased after the addition of 10 mg L?1 nano-TiO2, while the fractional percentage of As increased in cellular debris. These lower As proportions in the sensitive fractions of cells could indicate As(V) toxicity inhibition, which is also supported by the callback of biochemical response in the presence of nano-TiO2. Our results indicated that nano-TiO2 could alleviate As(V) toxicity in A. salina nauplii by enhancing efflux and decreasing the proportion of As in the sensitive fractions of cells. Accordingly, more attention should be paid to the influence of nano-TiO2 on As(V) assimilation in the digestive tract.

Graphical abstract: Changes in arsenate bioaccumulation, subcellular distribution, depuration, and toxicity in Artemia salina nauplii in the presence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles
Recommended Literature