Toxicity Effects of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Marine Algae

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂) are mineral compounds that had been manipulated to its nano-scale dimension, approximately 1 to 100nm. Nano-scaled TiO₂ are claimed to have better chemical, physical and biological properties which make them enormously applied in industrial manufacturing. However, this has become a big threat to the environment due to the increase disposal of TiO₂ into the environment whereby both human and other living organisms could be adversely affected. The aim of this study was to study the effects of TiO₂ nanoparticles on two marine microalgae Dunaleilla tertiolecta and Pavlova gyrans. The change in photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll a and carotenoid content was used to measure the response of algae species towards the presence of TiO₂ nanoparticle. The results showed Dunaleilla tertiolecta was more susceptible to TiO₂ nanoparticles with lower effective concentration of 50% (EC₅₀) at 31.25 mg/L compared to Pavlova gyrans. In addition, TiO₂ was found to aggregate and adsorb on algal membrane and reduced its motility. In conclusion, TiO₂ nanoparticles caused an impactful effect to the ecosystem and the post production wastes should be managed appropriately.