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Title: Toxicological effects of nanometer titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Date: 10/2012
  Link to Journal Abstract
Abstract: The toxicological effects of nanometer titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) on a unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were assessed by investigating the changes of the physiology and cyto-ultrastructure of this species under treatment. We found that nano-TiO2 inhibited photosynthetic efficiency and cell growth, but the content of chlorophyll a content in algae did not change, while carotenoid and chlorophyll b contents increased. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content reached maximum values after 8 h exposure and then decreased to a moderately low level at 72 h. Electron microscopy images indicated that as concentrations of nano-TiO2 increased, a large number of C. reinhardtii cells were noted to be damaged: the number of chloroplasts declined, various other organelles were degraded, plasmolysis occurred, and TiO2 nanoparticles were found to be located inside cell wall and membrane. It was also noted that cell surface was surrounded by TiO2 particles, which could present an obstacle to the exchange of substances between the cell and its surrounding environment. To sum up, the effect of nano-TiO2 on C. reinhardtii included cell surface aggregation, photosynthesis inhibition, lipid peroxidation and new protein synthesis, while the response of C. reinhardtii to nano-TiO2 was a rapid process which occurs during 24 h after exposing and may relate to physiological stress system to mitigate damage.
Non-technical Summary: For this study, the toxicological effects of nanometer titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) on a unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were assessed by investigating the changes of the physiology and cyto-ultrastructure of this species under treatment.
Content Emphasis Peer Reviewed Journal Article
Exposure Or Hazard Target Aquatic Ecosystem
Exposure Pathway Other/Unspecified
Method Of Study Environmental Study
Paper Type Environmental Fate and Transport
Particle Type Oxide
Production Method Engineered
Risk Exposure Group Ecosystem
Target Audience Technical Research
Citation: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 84: 155-162 (October 2012)
Publication: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Author: Chen L, Zhou L, Liu Y, Deng S, Wu H, Wang G
Volume: 84
Pages: 155-162
     


Last updated on September 14, 2012
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This work is supported in part by the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Initiative of the National Science Foundation
under NSF Award Number EEC-0118007.

 		 
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