Compositional and functional responses of bacterial community to titanium dioxide nanoparticles varied with soil heterogeneity and exposure duration

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are widely used as nano-agrochemicals. In this study we investigated the influence of soil heterogeneity on bacterial communities exposed to TiO2 NPs over time. Clay and sandy soils with low- high-organic matter contents were environmentally relevant concentration (1 mg/kg) sampled after short-term (15 days) long-term exposure (60 days). After exposure, significant effects regarding enzyme activity, community structure composition, functioning observed in clay high organic (clay-HOM) but not other groups. Response alterations taxa belonging Acidobacteria Verrucomicrobia, functional pathways related carbohydrates degradation. These results indicated that play more important roles shaping low fraction less matter, while selection was main driver inducing compositional impacts presence content. As time increased, recovered a 60 days, suggesting evolution adaptation could overcome exposure. Our highlighted importance including duration assessing impact nanoparticle function. By comprehensively evaluating risks ecosystem explicitly include spatial temporal variations, benefit nano-agrochemical products has potential be promoted future applications.