Toxicity Assessment of FeTiO2 and NiFe2O4 Nanoparticles on Aquatic Catfish (Siluriformes)

Abstract

Background: The aquatic toxicity of Iron doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles (FeTiO2 NPs) with an average particle size of 15 nm and a Nickel ferrite nanoparticle (NiFe2O4 NPs) with an average particle size of 12 nm on catfish in water was investigated. Objective: The goal of this work is i) The synthesis and characterization of FeTiO2 NPs and NiFe2O4 NPs, ii) To prepare the different concentrations of FeTiO2 NPs and NiFe2O4 NPs, iii) Different concentrations of NPs exposure to aquatic catfish. Methods: The study was conducted with different dose rates of the NPs in the water at ambient temperature for a period of four days. During this period, abnormal behavior and mortality were observed by visual examination. The selected dose range of FeTiO2 NPs and NiFe2O4 NPs were 0.1 to 100 mg/L in water. Results: The lethal concentration for FeTiO2 NPs is > 100 mg/L and NiFe2O4 NPs were 48.6 mg/L. During the study period, abnormal behaviors such as loss of equilibrium, pigmentation, and lying down at the bottom of the aquaria were observed. Conclusion: The toxicity study of nanoparticles conducted on fish indicated that the NiFe2O4 NPs exhibited higher toxicity as compared to the FeTiO2 NPs.