Uptake and Translocation of Ti From Nanoparticles in Crops and Wetland Plants

Abstract

Bioavailability of engineered metal nanoparticles affects uptake in plants, impacts on ecosystems, and phytoremediation. We studied uptake and translocation of Ti in plants when the main source of this metal was TiO2 nanoparticles. Two crops (Phaseolus vulgaris (bean) and Triticum aestivum (wheat)), a wetland species (Rumex crispus, curly dock), and the floating aquatic plant (Elodea canadensis, Canadian waterweed), were grown in nutrient solutions with TiO2 nanoparticles (0, 6, 18 mmol Ti L(-1) for P. vulgaris, T. aestivum, and R. crispus; and 0 and 12 mmol Ti L(-1) for E. canadensis). Also examined in E. canadensis was the influence of TiO2 nanoparticles upon the uptake of Fe, Mn, and Mg, and the influence of P on Ti uptake. For the rooted plants, exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles did not affect biomass production, but significantly increased root Ti sorption and uptake. R. crispus showed translocation of Ti into the shoots. E. canadensis also showed significant uptake of Ti, P in the nutrient solution significantly decreased Ti uptake, and the uptake patterns of Mn and Mg were altered. Ti from nano-Ti was bioavailable to plants, thus showing the potential for cycling in ecosystems and for phytoremediation, particularly where water is the main carrier.

Nanotitania Exposure Causes Alterations in Physiological, Nutritional and Stress Responses in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

“…Scattered accumulations of titanium tetragonal and cylindrical crystals were found in various samples under TEM ( Figure 4D ; compared with Figure 4C ). Previous studies on Phaseolus vulgaris , Triticum aestivum , and Rumex crispus have also demonstrated the transport of TiO 2 NPs across plant tissues (Jacob et al, 2013). Xia et al (2015) reported the internalization of TiO 2 NPs into marine alga, N. closterium through TEM and cytometry.…”

“…Thus, TiO 2 NPs induced P and Mg uptake and further supported our photosynthetic observations. The increase of S content in response to TiO 2 NPs is understandable as it is the principle amino acid of GSH meant for detoxification of metals and xenobiotic (Jacob et al, 2013). Contrary to these elements, Fe content significantly decreased in root as well as leaves under TiO 2 NPs exposure ( Figure 5 ).…”

Barriers, pathways and processes for uptake, translocation and accumulation of nanomaterials in plants – Critical review

“…The role of nodes for NP uptake remains to be elucidated. Comparative studies of NP uptake or effects in plants with/without nodes usually report less or absent NP transport/effects in the latter (Jacob et al, 2013;Pokhrel & Dubey, 2013;Schwabe et al, 2013).…”

Uptake and Accumulation of Engineered Nanomaterials and Their Phytotoxicity to Agricultural Crops

“…For example, treatment of cucumber with 500 mg/L of TiO 2 NPs increased the potassium content by 35 % and phosphorous content by 34 % in cucumber seedlings. Jacob et al (2013) also reported that plant uptake of micronutrients such as Mn and Mg in nutrient solution coexisted with TiO 2 NPs was altered due to the presence of TiO 2 NPs.…”

“…Both crystal phases of TiO 2 NPs (anatase and rutile) were taken up by wheat, and they maintained their phase structure in plant tissues. Jacob et al (2013) reported that exposure of wheat and beans to nutrient solution containing TiO 2 NPs as a single source of Ti significantly increased root Ti sorption and uptake. However, upward translocation was not reported for these two crops.…”