title: Ecotoxicity of titanium silicon oxide (TiSiO4) nanomaterial for terrestrial plants and soil invertebrate species.
abstract: The huge evolution of nanotechnology and the commercialization of nanomaterials (NMs) positively contributed for innovation in several industrial sectors. Facing this rapid development and the emergence of NMs in the market, the release of this nanometric sized materials in the environment and the possible impact on different ecosystem components attracted the attention of researchers in the last few years. In our study we aimed to assess the impact of titanium silicon oxide nanomaterial (nano-TiSiO4) on soil biota to estimate a risk limit for this material. In the present research a battery of standardized ecotoxicological assays aimed at evaluating a wide range of endpoints (avoidance and reproduction of earthworms and collembolans, emergence/growth of four selected terrestrial plants) were carried out, using OECD artificial soil as test substrate spiked with aqueous suspension of different concentrations of nano-TiSiO4. The results showed a maximum avoidance percentage of 40% for earthworms (Esenia andrei) at the highest concentration tested (1000mgkg(-1) soildw of nano-TiSiO4). No significant effect on the reproductive function of both invertebrate species was recorded. Nevertheless, significant phytotoxic data was registered at least for the growth of dicotyledonous plant species (Lactuca sativa and Lycopersicon lycopersicum) with EC20 values ranging between 236 and 414 mg kg(-1) soildw of nano-TiSiO4 for L. sativa dry mass and fresh mass, respectively. Further, the characterization of nano-TiSiO4 in suspensions used to spike the soil, performed by Dynamic Light Scattering, showed the formation of aggregates with important average size diameter, thus demonstrating that the toxic effects observed were likely not size dependent. A deterministic PNEC (predicted no effect concentration) for this NM of 10.02mg kg(-1) soildw of nano-TiSiO4, is suggested, while no more ecotoxicological information exists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; Laboratory of Water, Energy and Environment (3E), National School of Engineering of Sfax, University of Sfax, Route de Soukra Km 3.5, PO Box 1173, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia. Electronic address: sirine.bouguerra@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Sirine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bouguerra
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine & Environmental Research, Rua dos Bragas, n. 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gavina
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Water, Energy and Environment (3E), National School of Engineering of Sfax, University of Sfax, Route de Soukra Km 3.5, PO Box 1173, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ksibi
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering & CIEPQPF & University of Coimbra, 3030-290 Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria da Graça
authors.initials: Mda G
authors.lastname: Rasteiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rocha-Santos
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine & Environmental Research, Rua dos Bragas, n. 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D017753:Ecosystem; D054750:Ecotoxicology; D018545:Lactuca / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D012989:Soil Pollutants; C009495:titanium dioxide; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D014025:Titanium
keywords: Avoidance; Collembolans; Earthworms; Nano-TiSiO(4); Phytotoxicity; Reproduction