Photocatalytic properties of titanium dioxide nanoparticles affect habitat selection of and food quality for a key species in the leaf litter decomposition process

Environ Pollut. 2015 Jan:196:276-83. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.09.022.

Abstract

Interactions with environmental parameters may alter the ecotoxicity of nanoparticles. The present study therefore assessed the (in)direct effects of nanoparticulate titanium dioxide (nano-TiO(2)) towards Gammarus fossarum, considering nano-TiO(2)'s photocatalytic properties at ambient UV-intensities. Gammarids' habitat selection was investigated using its feeding preference on leaf discs either exposed to or protected from UV-irradiation in presence of nano-TiO(2) as proxy (n = 49). UV-irradiational one induced a significant preference for UV-protected habitats, which was more pronounced in simultaneous presence of nano-TiO(2). This behaviour may be mainly explained by the UV-induced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by nano-TiO(2). Besides their direct toxicity, ROS may have lowered the leaf-quality in UV-exposed areas contributing (approximately 30%) to the observed behavioural pattern. Since the predicted no effect concentration of nano-TiO(2) in combination with UV irradiation falls below the predicted environmental concentration this study underpins the importance of considering environmental parameters during the risk assessment of nanoparticles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amphipoda / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Aquatic Organisms / physiology*
  • Ecosystem*
  • Food Quality
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Nanoparticles / toxicity
  • Photochemical Processes*
  • Plant Leaves
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Titanium / chemistry*
  • Titanium / toxicity
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • titanium dioxide
  • Titanium