Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2021
Photoactive titanium dioxide nanoparticles modify heterotrophic microbial functioning
Bundschuh, Mirco; Zubrod, Jochen P.; Konschak, Marco; Baudy, Patrick; Frombold, Bianca; Schulz, RalfAbstract
Nanoparticulate titanium dioxide (nTiO(2)) is frequently applied, raising concerns about potential side effects on the environment. While various studies have assessed structural effects in aquatic model ecosystems, its impact on ecosystem functions provided by microbial communities (biofilms) is not well understood. This is all the more the case when considering additional stressors, such as UV irradiation - a factor known to amplify nTiO(2)-induced toxicity. Using pairwise comparisons, we assessed the impact of UV (UV-A = 1.6 W/m(2); UV-B = 0.7 W/m(2)) at 0, 20 or 2000 mu g nTiO(2)/L on two ecosystem functions provided by leaf-associated biofilms: while leaf litter conditioning, important for detritivorous invertebrate nutrition, seems unaffected, microbial leaf decomposition was stimulated (up to 25%) by UV, with effect sizes being higher in the presence of nTiO(2). Although stoichiometric and microbial analyses did not allow for uncovering the underlying mechanism, it seems plausible that the combination of a shift in biofilm community composition and activity together with photodegradation as well as the formation of reactive oxygen species triggered changes in leaf litter decomposition. The present study implies that the multiple functions a microbial community performs are not equally sensitive. Consequently, relying on one of the many functions realized by the same microbial community may be misleading for environmental management.Keywords
Nanomaterials; Semi-conductor; Trophic interaction; Ecological effects; Food selectionPublished in
Environmental Science and Pollution Research2021, volume: 28, number: 36, pages: 49550-49558
Publisher: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG
Authors' information
University of Koblenz-Landau
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment
Zubrod, Jochen P.
University of Koblenz and Landau
Konschak, Marco
University of Koblenz and Landau
Baudy, Patrick
University of Koblenz and Landau
Frombold, Bianca
University of Koblenz and Landau
Schulz, Ralf
University of Koblenz and Landau
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG15 Life on land
UKÄ Subject classification
Environmental Sciences
Publication Identifiers
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-14090-3
URI (permanent link to this page)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/113875