Investigation of the effects of metal oxide nanoparticle mixtures on Danio rerio and Xenopus laevis embryos

ABSTRACT

In this study, the toxic effects of single TiO₂, ZnO and Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) and their binary and ternary combinations on the embryonic development of Xenopus laevis and Danio rerio were evaluated. It was aimed to determine the median lethal concentrations, growth retardation and developmental malformation effects and the effects of mixed nanoparticle exposure to selected enzyme biomarkers resulting from the exposure of embryos to NPs. The results showed that ZnO NPs, which are the most toxic according to the highest lethality level, cause developmental delay and malformations. The Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂ NPs caused growth retardation only in D. rerio embryos. It was determined that double and triple combinations of NPs did not cause significant lethality in both species. Biochemical markers showed that mixed NPs could lead to greater toxicity compared to single exposures. The results also revealed that TiO₂ or Fe₂O₃ NPs caused an increase in toxicity when co-existing with ZnO NP due to additive effects. Overall, the results showed that D. rerio was more susceptible to NP exposure in terms of growth and mortality than X. laevis. However, studies that are more comprehensive are needed to better understand the toxicity mechanism of metal oxide NP mixtures.

KEYWORDS:

• Nanoparticle mixture
• zinc oxide
• iron (III) oxide
• titanium dioxide
• toxicity
• biomarker

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the supporting institution.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Inonu University Scientific Research Projects Unit: [Grant Number 2013/163].

Notes on contributors

Nesrin Ozmen

Nesrin Ozmen is a researcher in the fields of environmental toxicology and environmental biotechnology at İnönü University. She uses microalgae, white rot fungi and Danio rerio as model organisms in her studies. She conducts studies on the toxic effects and environmental removal of environmental pollutants such as nanomaterials and textile dyestuffs from aquatic media.

Duygu Ozhan Turhan

Duygu Ozhan Turhan is a research assistant at İnönü University, Department of Biology. His work focuses on Aquatic Toxicology and Hydrobiology. Dr. Turhan continues his studies on the effects of human activities on dam lakes and freshwater ecosystems.

Abbas Güngördü

Abbas Güngördü is a professor of aquatic toxicology at İnönu University, Faculty of Arts and Science. His areas of expertise are Ecotoxicology, Developmental Toxicology, Aquatic Toxicology and Environmental Monitoring.

Hatice Caglar Yilmaz

Hatice Caglar Yilmaz received her Ph.D. at İnönü University, Department of Chemistry in the 2020. His research areas are nanoparticle synthesis and material characterisation.

Murat Ozmen

Murat Ozmen is a senior professor at İnönü University and the founder of environmental toxicology laboratories. He evaluates the environmental health and safety effects of environmental pollutants such as pesticides, metals, endocrine disruptors and nanotechnology-related materials, using risk assessment tests and biochemical markers, especially for aquatic organisms. It is also involved in environmental monitoring in freshwater and marine ecosystems to determine the effects of environmental pollution.