Graphene nanoplatelets and reduced graphene oxide elevate the microalgal cytotoxicity of nano-zirconium oxide.

Novel products often have a multitude of nanomaterials embedded; likewise within many products graphite-based products are decorated with nano-zirconium oxide (nZrO) because graphene is an ultrahigh conductive material whereas nZrO is for instance fire-retardant. As a consequence, the pristine/isolated nanoparticle has unique beneficial properties but it is no longer the only compound that needs to be considered in risk assessment. Data on joint toxicological implications are particularly important for the hazard assessment of multicomponent nanomaterials. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the cytotoxicity induced by the co-occurrence of nZrO and two graphene nanomaterials including graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) to the freshwater algae Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Exposure to GNPs and/or RGO induced enhanced cytotoxicity of nZrO to the algae. Intracellular oxidative stress and cellular membrane functional changes in C. pyrenoidosa were the reason for the enhancement of toxicity induced by the binary mixtures of GNPs/RGO and nZrO. Furthermore, mitochondria-generated ROS played a major role in regulating the treatment-induced cellular response in the algae. Observations of cellular superficial- and ultra-structures indicated that the binary mixtures provoked oxidative damage to the algal cells. RGO increased the cytotoxicity and the extent of cellular oxidative stress to a higher extent than GNPs. These findings provide new insights that are of use in the risk assessment of mixtures of graphene-based carbon nanomaterials and other ENPs, and fit the new ideas on product testing that respects the combination effects.