Characterization of the nano–bio interaction between metallic oxide nanomaterials and freshwater microalgae using flow cytometry

Abstract

Since nanomaterials (NMs) are particulate contaminants, their first contact with organisms is a physical encounter ruled by physic-chemical processes that can determinate the potential NMs accumulation, toxicity, and trophic transfer. Freshwater ecosystems often become a final depository for NMs, so they can get in contact with the biota, especially primary organisms as algae. There are almost none comparative studies of this interaction using various NMs in the same conditions. This work identifies, analyzes, and compares the algae–NMs interaction by flow cytometry after a short-term contact test in which three freshwater algae (Raphidocelis subcapitata, Desmodesmus subspicatus, and Chlorella vulgaris) interact individually with a set of twelve metallic oxide NMs. Dose–response profiles and differences in the algae–NMs interaction were found according to each algae species (C. vulgaris had the most affinity, starting the interaction from 0.5 mg/L and D. subspicatus had the less affinity starting at 5 mg/L). Flow cytometry results were confirmed by optical microscopy. Some NMs characteristics were identified as key-factors that govern the algae–NMs interaction: NMs composition (no interaction for SiO₂ NMs), surface electric charge (higher interaction for the positively charged NMs and lower interaction for the negatively charged ones) and crystalline form (for TiO₂ NMs). The presented method can be useful for a rapid determination of the interaction between free cells organisms as microalgae and (nano)particulate substances.

Keywords:

• Freshwater microalgae
• nanomaterials
• flow cytometry
• nano–bio interaction
• contact test

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the support of the French Ministry for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition. A special recognition is given to Anne Bado-Nilles for the access to the flow cytometry equipment.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Data availability statement

Data pertaining to this manuscript are deposited in figshare at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.12040401.v1