Individual and binary exposure to nanoscales of silver, titanium dioxide, and silicon dioxide alters viability, growth, and reproductive system: Hidden indices to re-establish artemia as a toxicological model in saline waters

Abstract

This study evaluated and compared the individual and combined toxicity of AgNPs, TiO2NPs, and SiO2NPs to life cycle of A. salina. To this end, both stability and toxicity of AgNPs were determined in the presence of TiO2NPs and SiO2NPs. The colloidal stability of AgNPs decreased in the presence of the other two NPs, especially SiO2NPs. AgNPs displayed acute toxicity to A. salina, whereas SiO2NPs and TiO2NPs chronically induced toxicity in a concentration- and time-dependent manner during 28-day exposure. The experimental NPs significantly decreased the weight and length of A. salina and induced reproductive toxicity through perturbation in first brood timespan, sexual maturity, egg development time, egg pouch area, offspring quality, and fecundity. Exposure to AgNPs shifted the mode of reproduction in brine shrimp from ovoviviparity to oviparity, and also co-presence of AgNPs with SiO2NPs or TiO2NPs caused infertility. Generally, their individual toxicity was in order of AgNPs > TiO2NPs > SiO2NPs, and binary exposure to AgNPs-SiO2NPs appear to be more threatening than AgNPs-TiO2NPs to A. salina. Together, this study highlights that these nanoparticles could disrupt reproductive health of A. salina and lead to alterations in population dynamics and aquatic ecosystem balance.