Binary toxicity of engineered silica nanoparticles (nSiO2) and arsenic (III) on Zebrafish (Danio rerio): application of response surface methodology

Abstract

Abstract Nanoparticles (NPs) in both water and sediments can interact with other contaminants. Increasing production and using NPs by discharge into the aquatic environment can be a threat to aquatic organisms. This study aimed to consider the ecotoxicity and binary effect of arsenic (III) and silica nanoparticles (nSiO2), as independent variables, individually and simultaneously on the mortality rate of Zebrafish (Danio rerio), as a response, by response surface methodology (RSM) under central composite design (CCD). The results revealed that in the treatments within the concentration range of 1 to 5 mg L-1 arsenic and 1-100 mg L-1 nSiO2, no mortality was observed after 96 h. The optimal conditions to achieving the lowest effect of simultaneous toxicity in the concentration range of nSiO2 and arsenic were 87.2 and 7 mg L-1, respectively. Accordingly, the desirable function of the predicted model was found to be 0.78. According to these results, arsenic is toxic for zebrafish. On the other hand, individual exposure to nSiO2 did not cause acute toxicity in the studied species, while the arsenic toxicity was decreased by increasing the concentration of nSiO2.