Synchrotron micro-XRF and micro-XANES confirmation of the uptake and translocation of TiO₂ nanoparticles in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants.
Advances in nanotechnology have raised concerns about possible effects of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in the environment, especially in terrestrial plants. In this research, the impacts of TiO(2) nanoparticles (NPs) were evaluated in hydroponically grown cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants. Seven day old seedlings were treated with TiO(2) NPs at concentrations varying from 0 to 4000 mg L(-1). At harvest, the size of roots and shoots were measured. In addition, micro X- ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) and micro X-ray absorption spectroscopy (micro-XAS), respectively, were used to track the presence and chemical speciation of Ti within plant tissues. Results showed that at all concentrations, TiO(2) significantly increased root length (average >300%). By using micro-XRF it was found that Ti was transported from the roots to the leaf trichomes, suggesting that trichomes are possible sink or excretory system for the Ti. The micro-XANES spectra showed that the absorbed Ti was present as TiO(2) within the cucumber tissues, demonstrating that the TiO(2) NPs were not biotransformed.
Chemistry Department, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States.
Alia D
AD
Servin
Hiram
H
Castillo-Michel
Jose A
JA
Hernandez-Viezcas
Baltazar Corral
BC
Diaz
Jose R
JR
Peralta-Videa
Jorge L
JL
Gardea-Torresdey
D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D018553:Cucumis sativus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D018527:Hydroponics; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D017356:Synchrotrons; D014025:Titanium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D056928:X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy
C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium; D009584:Nitrogen