Distinct toxic interactions of TiO₂ nanoparticles with four coexisting organochlorine contaminants on algae

Engineered nanoparticles are increasingly discharged into the environment. After discharge, these nanoparticles can interact with co-existing organic contaminants, resulting in a phenomena referred to as ‘joint toxicity’. This study evaluated joint toxicities of TiO₂ nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) with four different (atrazine, hexachlorobenzene, pentachlorobenzene, and 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl) organochlorine contaminants (OCs) toward algae (Chlorella pyrenoidosa). The potential mechanisms underlying the joint toxicity were discussed, including TiO₂NPs–OC interactions, effects of TiO₂NPs and OCs on biophysicochemical properties of algae and effects of TiO₂NPs and OCs on each other’s bioaccumulation in algae. The results indicate that coexposure led to a synergistic effect on the joint toxicity for TiO₂NPs–atrazine, antagonistic effect for TiO₂NPs–hexachlorobenzene and TiO₂NPs–3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl, and an additive effect for TiO₂NPs–pentachlorobenzene. There was nearly no adsorption of OCs by TiO₂NPs, and the physicochemical properties of TiO₂NPs were largely unaltered by the presence of OCs. However, both OCs and NPs affected the biophysicochemical properties of algal cells and thereby influenced the cell surface binding and/or internalization. TiO₂NPs significantly increased the bioaccumulation of each OC. However, with the exception of atrazine, the bioaccumulation of TiO₂NPs decreased when used with each OC. The distinct joint toxicity outcomes were a result of the balance between the increased toxicities of OCs (increased bioaccumulations) and the altered toxicity of TiO₂NPs (bioaccumulation can either increase or decrease). These results can significantly improve our understanding of the potential environmental risks associated with NPs.