Assessment of Crystal Morphology on Uptake, Particle Dissolution, and Toxicity of Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide on .

Knowledge of nanomaterial toxicity is critical to avoid adverse effects on human and environment health. In this study, the influences of crystal morphology on physico-chemical and toxic properties of nanoscale TiO (-TiO) were investigated. were exposed to anatase, rutile and mixture polymorphs of -TiO in seawater. Short-term (24 h) and long-term (96 h) exposures were conducted in 1, 10 and 100 mg/L suspensions of -TiO in the presence and absence of food. Anatase form had highest accumulation followed by mixture and rutile. Presence of food greatly reduced accumulation. -TiO dissolution was not significant in seawater (p<0.05) nor was influenced from crystal structure. Highest toxic effects occurred in 96h exposure in the order of anatase > mixture > rutile. Mortality and oxidative stress levels increased with increasing -TiO concentration and exposure time (p<0.05). Presence of food in the exposure medium alleviated the oxidative stress, indicating that deprivation from food could promote toxic effects of -TiO under long-term exposure.