Toxic effect of mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to Ag–TiO2 and ZnTi2O4–TiO2 bicomponent nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in various fields, including antifouling paints for ships and industrial structures submerged in water. The potential impact of NPs on aquatic organisms, particularly their potential toxicity, is a significant concern, as their negative impact has been relatively poorly studied. In this study, we evaluated the effect of different concentrations of bimetallic Ag–TiO₂ and ZnTi₂O₄-TiO₂ NPs, which could potentially be used in antifouling coatings, on the hemocytes of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Hemocytes were exposed to NPs at concentrations of 0.1–1 mg/L for 1 and 2 h, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), levels of DNA damage, and number of dead cells were measured. Exposure to Ag–TiO₂ NPs at 1 mg/L concentration for 1 h suppressed ROS production in hemocytes and reduced the relative number of agranulocytes in cell suspensions, without inducing DNA damage or cell death. Exposure to ZnTi2O4–TiO2 NPs did not cause changes in the ratio of granulocytes to agranulocytes in suspensions, nor did it affect other functional parameters of hemocytes. However, after a 2 h exposure period, ZnTi2O4–TiO2 NPs (1 mg/L) significantly reduced the production of ROS by hemocytes. These findings suggest that Ag–TiO2 and ZnTi2O4–TiO2 NPs have low acute toxicity for marine bivalves.