Effect of Titanium Dioxide in Freshwater Environments Dynamics: Critical Toxicity Comprehensions Usi
Discipline: Biological Sciences
Subcategory: Microbiology/Immunology/Virology
Session: 1
Room: 7 - Embassy F
Anthony L. Mártir Pérez - University of Puerto Rico in Río Piedras
Co-Author(s): Omar Pérez Reyes, University of Puerto Rico in Río Piedras, PR
It is essential to consider the dynamics between physicochemical factors, biological structures, and anthropogenic activity to understand the impact on aquatic ecosystems, which is fundamental to understanding the limits of human activity. Safe operating limits for the emerging planetary boundaries are defined as an acceptable level of human activity to prevent increased climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Human interactions with ecosystems have led to anthropogenic disturbances in freshwater environments. One example of the threat to sustainable freshwater waters is titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs). This nanoparticle is typical in dermatological, industrial paints, and even edible products. In addition, it bioaccumulates in aquatic ecosystems as it is not soluble in water, increasing the possibility of being ingested by filter-feeding species. Atya lanipes is one of the ten shrimp species belonging to the Atyidae family and can be found in the freshwater ecosystems of Puerto Rico. Its feeding depends on the types and amounts of suspended-particulate resources in the small streams and rivers because it functions primarily as a filter feeder. When tourists visit the stream and introduce TiO2 NPs as solar protectors, these nanoparticles sink to the bottom of the pool, and the shrimp reach and ingest them. Recent research has established that TiO2 NPs induce an oxidative stress response in A. lanipes after 24h of exposition and induce morphological damage in the larvae. Our goals for this research are to 1) evaluate the effects of the concentrations of TiO2 NPs on mortality, water quality, and behavior, and 2) contribute to the restoration and conservation of freshwater ecosystems. Our hypothesis aims to understand the probability of species survival in aquatic systems as the concentration of TiO2 NPs increases. For this reason, we established a protocol to determine Lethal Doses (LD50), exposing adults of A. lanipes for five days and recording the mortality rate every day. In addition, the behavior of the shrimp at each concentration was evaluated to determine if the contaminant affects the expected behavior of the species. Changes in water chemistry were evaluated through the exposition. An increase in mortality was observed as we increased the concentration of TiO2; changes in water quality were also observed.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): Bridge to Doctorate Program supported by the Puerto Rico - Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation
Faculty Advisor: Omar Pérez Reyes, omar.perez15@upr.edu
Role: In this research I develop the research proposal, specific experiments, and the necessary data analysis with the support of my research advisor and the laboratory members.