Understanding the Role of Nano-TiO2 on the Toxicity of Pb on C. Dubia through Modeling—Is It Additive or Synergistic?

Author

Xuesong Liu
Jianmin Wang, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Yue-Wern Huang, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Abstract

Nano-TiO₂ can remarkably increase lead (Pb) toxicity in aquatic organisms. However, the mechanism of this toxicity, additive or synergistic, is not well understood. To explore this mechanism, we inspected the role of nano-TiO₂ in the toxicity of Pb on Ceriodaphnia dubia (C. dubia), a model water flea species typically used for ecotoxicity studies. The effect of algae, a diet for aquatic organisms, on the effect of this binary mixture was also investigated. A two-compartment toxicokinetic (TK)-toxicodynamic (TD) modeling approach was used to quantify the Pb toxicity under these complex conditions and to develop critical parameters for understanding the mechanism of toxicity. This two-compartment modeling approach adequately described the Pb accumulation in the gut and in the rest of the body tissue under different nano-TiO₂ concentrations, with and without algae, and predicted the toxicity response of C. dubia. It indicated that increasing the nano-TiO₂ concentration reduced the Pb tolerance level and concurrently increased the killing rate constant of C. dubia. Therefore, nano-TiO₂ synergistically enhanced Pb toxicity. Algae remarkably reduced the toxicity of this binary mixture through reducing the Pb transfer rate to the body tissue and the killing rate, although it did not affect the Pb tolerance level. This two-compartment modeling approach is useful in understanding the role of nanoparticles when assessing the overall toxicity of nanoparticles and other toxic elements in the environment. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].

Recommended Citation

X. Liu et al., "Understanding the Role of Nano-TiO2 on the Toxicity of Pb on C. Dubia through Modeling—Is It Additive or Synergistic?," Frontiers of Environmental Science and Engineering, vol. 16, no. 5, article no. 59, Springer, May 2022.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-021-1493-4

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Second Department

Biological Sciences

Comments

Missouri University of Science and Technology, Grant None

Keywords and Phrases

Algae; C. dubia; Lead; Nano-TiO 2; Synergistic toxicity; Two-compartment toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic model

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

2095-221X; 2095-2201

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Final Version

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2023 Springer, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 May 2022