[Antagonistic Effect and Mechanism of Nano Titanium Dioxide and Cadmium on the Growth of Scenedesmus obliquus].

ABSTRACT

The release of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) into the environment has raised concerns about combined toxicological risks, as MNMs could significantly alter the environmental behavior and fate of co-existing contaminants. Numerous studies have been published on the combined toxicity of MNMs and co-existing contaminants, but the potential mechanisms controlling the combined toxicity, especially the biological response mechanism, remain unclear. This study investigated the combined toxicity of nano-titanium dioxide (nTiO2), a typical MNM, and the heavy metal cadmium (Cd2+), using Scenedesmus obliquus as the test organism. The molecular mechanism was examined under different concentrations, using an equivalent dose (toxic ratio 1 ∶1) on S. obliquus. The results showed that the 72h-EC50 of nTiO2 and Cd2+ at the equivalent dose was significantly higher than that of single exposure, indicating an antagonistic effect. Further transcriptomics analysis revealed that the photosynthesis, chlorophyll metabolism, and starch and sucrose metabolism pathways involved in the energy metabolism of S. obliquus were significantly up-regulated in the presence of nTiO2. The arginine and proline metabolic pathways related to the anti-stress effect of algae cells also showed positive stimulation. The results of this study provide an important reference and a research basis for in-depth understanding of the environmental effects of MNMs and co-existing contaminants.