Effects of separate and combined exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles and mercury ion on survival and fatty acid profile of Artemia salina (Linnaeus, 1758)

Mohammadi, Masoomeh; Ghasemi, Zahra; Sourinejad, Iman

Effects of separate and combined exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles and mercury ion on survival and fatty acid profile of Artemia salina (Linnaeus, 1758)

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

Masoomeh Mohammadi

Zahra Ghasemi

Iman Sourinejad

Abstract

Due to widespread use of nanoparticles in various fields and the possibility of entering these nanoparticles into aquatic ecosystems, it is necessary to study the effects of these nanoparticles on surrounding environment. Artemia salina nauplii as a suitable biological model in ecotoxicology were exposed to different concentrations of 0.0001, 0.001, 0.005, 0.01 and 0.1 ppm mercury ions separately and simultaneously with a constant concentration of 0.1 ppm and 1 ppm titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The mortality rate of Artemia after 48 hours and the effects of these contaminants on fatty acid profile of Artemia were investigated. Artemia mortality in co-exposure treatment showed a dual effect. The mortality in the simultaneous exposure with constant concentration of 0.1ppm titanium dioxide increased compared with separate treatment of mercury. The mortality in simultaneous treatment with constant concentration of 1ppm titanium dioxide decreased compared with the separate treatment of mercury and the effect of mercury toxicity was reduced. Also, a decrease in saturated fatty acids was observed in the simultaneous exposure of mercury and titanium dioxide nanoparticles with a constant concentration of 1ppm compared with the separate treatment of mercury. The amount of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the simultaneous exposure with constant concentration of 1ppm titanium dioxide was equal to control and increased compared with separate treatment of mercury. Present findings indicate the necessity of paying more attention to the potential interactions of pollutants in aquatic ecosystems and the effects of these interactions on the bioavailability and toxicity of pollutants regarding their concentration.

Keywords

Metal nanoparticles

Toxicology

Mercury

Artemia salina