Exposure of engineered nanoparticles to Alexandrium tamarense (Dinophyceae): Healthy impacts of nanoparticles via toxin-producing dinoflagellate

- The PSTs production increased upon exposure to nTiO2 and nAl2O3, but not to nZnO.
- All three selected metal oxide ENPs were proven to change the PSTs composition.
- The Fv/Fm was inhibited upon exposure to three ENPs with concentration ranging from 20 to 200 mg L− 1.
- nZnO showed the most toxic effect on cell growth among three selected ENPs.

Human activities can enhance the frequency, intensity and occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs). Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs), contained in many materials, will inevitably enter coastal waters and thus cause unpredictable impacts on aquatic organisms. However, knowledge of the influence of ENPs on HAB species is still lacking. In this study, we examined the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2), zinc oxide nanoparticles (nZnO) and aluminum oxide nanoparticles (nAl2O3) on physiological changes and paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins (PSTs) production of Alexandrium tamarense. We found a dose-dependent decrease in photosynthetic activity of A. tamarense under all three ENPs and a significant growth inhibition induced by nZnO. The largest reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was induced by nTiO2, followed by nZnO and nAl2O3. Moreover, the PSTs production rate increased by 3.9-fold for nTiO2 (p < 0.01) and 4.5-fold for nAl2O3 (p < 0.01) at a concentration of 200 mg L− 1. The major component, C2 was transformed to its epimer C1 and the proportion of decarbamoyl toxins increased under 200 mg L− 1 of nZnO and nAl2O3. In addition, the proportion of carbamate toxins increased upon exposure to 2 mg L− 1 ENPs, while decreased upon exposure to 200 mg L− 1 ENPs. The changes in PSTs production and composition might be an adaptive response for A. tamarense to overcome the stress of ENPs exposure. This work brings the first evidence that ENP would affect PSTs production and profiles.

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